Feed from Our Bloghttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/archive
enGreat South West- a collaborative visionhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/great-south-west-collaborative-vision
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In October 2017 the inaugural South West Growth Summit “Back the South West” was hosted by Pennon and the Western Morning News and produced the South West Growth Charter, a collaborative vision for the South West. The charter has been developed giving clear commitments and “asks which are essential to all of us running our businesses in this wonderful region. The asks include:</p>
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a new government partnership for the South West</li>
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investment in digital connectivity ( yes please especially in rural areas)</li>
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investment in energy connectivity</li>
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investment in transport connectivity</li>
</ul><p>I have worked with the Devon and Cornwall Business Council over a number of years who have pushed hard for this in Devon and Cornwall. It is so encouraging to see this agenda being moved to the wider south west. It is certainly what is needed for us to continue to be great!! </p>
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Wed, 17 Jan 2018 15:20:31 +0000Sue182 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukHappy Christmas and New year wisheshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/happy-christmas-and-new-year-wishes
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Wishing you all a happy Christmas and healthy and peacefull 2018. Its been a busy year here with clients and voluntary work. </p>
<p>So take it easy when you can, and have a lovely festive break. Meanwhile we will use the time between the Christmas and the new year to prepare for an action packed 2018! </p>
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Sun, 24 Dec 2017 13:54:33 +0000Sue181 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukSouth West Support for the London 2012 Bid brought to life at National Maritime Museumhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/south-west-support-london-2012-bid-brought-life-national-maritime-museum
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>It seems a long while ago, now but one of my first projects when I set up Chocolate Dog Marketing Services was to help get support for the London 2012 bid. This was way back in 2004, Lord Coe was just appointed Chairman and the South West Regional Development Agency was my client. I worked closely with Sport England South West and my work involved several strands:</p>
<ul><li>
Research the potential for Pre Games Training Camps when teams could come and stay prior to the Games</li>
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Develop a stratgey for a lasting legacy , consulting across the seven county region with business, tourism, culture, communities and education as well as sport of course</li>
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Gather support and show the International Olympic Committee the South West really wanted the UK to host the Games especially the sailing at Weymouth and Portland</li>
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Work with athletes of all abilities and showcase talent for the Olympics and Paralympics</li>
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Organise events across the region and host Lord Coe and other members of the London 2012 Team</li>
</ul><p>So much to do, and of course you know the results- we hosted a fantastic Olympic and Paralympic Games. I used 2 20m x 10 m giant flags, displayed at Stonehenge, Cerne Abbas Giant and the Roman Baths at Bath, a giant kite fown from Glastonbury and Portland, Umbrellas, and lots of other smaller flags working with Roy Riley to produce fantastic imagery. I used a giant project to beam the London 2012 Logo off the biomes at Eden on 20th December 2004. Everyone signed up and could write on the flags to demonstrate their support as a roadshow toured the South West . </p>
<p>I was really pleased to lend all my toolkit to the National Martime Museum at Falmouth which brought their Olympic Exhibition in 2016 - 17 to life and resurrected many happy memories.. </p>
<p> </p>
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Tue, 21 Nov 2017 15:51:59 +0000Sue180 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukWe won - Thank youhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/we-won-thank-you
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p align="center"><strong>Huge thanks to all who supported and voted - St Tudy won the One Family Foundation Community Award !</strong></p>
<p>St Tudy have won a hard fought £25,000 national award. Sue Handford pledged to renovate the current worn-out space and create a new play area as a tribute to Claire Townsend, who was manager of St Tudy Pre-school until she passed away suddenly earlier this year.</p>
<p>St Tudy Playing Field Trust was awarded the money by financial services company OneFamily as part of its <a href="https://www.onefamily.com/your-foundation/community-awards/">Community Awards</a>.It was hard fought battle and thanks to everyone who helped. The funds will be used to replace the current out of date playground with new play equipment with accessibility at the heart of the playground.</p>
<p>The St Tudy Playing Field Trust also plan to create a vegetable patch and wildlife garden, where local pre-schoolers and primary school pupils can grow their own fruit and veg and learn about nature.</p>
<p>Villagers said they hoped the playground at St Tudy Playing Field would be a fitting way to remember mother-of-four Claire, who was a good friend to many in the area and is already much missed.</p>
<p>Sue Handford, family friend and fundraiser for the St Tudy Playing Field Trust, said: “Claire loved children, and dedicated her life to making sure that their lives were filled with fun and laughter. Outdoor activity is so important and that is why I made this application, to make a difference and ensure that something positive can happen.</p>
<p>“We thought updating our village playground would be a fitting tribute to Claire and her family. It will provide a place where children of all ages from across our community can play for many years to come.</p>
<p>We couldn’t have done this without Jeremy Northcott, who was secretary and leading light of the Playing Field Trust. Jeremy passed away recently. I wanted to acknowledge his help and support in securing this funding. “I am also very grateful to the One Family who have given us this wonderful opportunity for our community. Thank you.”</p>
<p>Winning an award like this for a small parish needs Cornwall and everyone's friends and family to help. A media campaign, with great support from Laurence Reed of BBC Radio Cornwall, social media - thanks, Fishermans Friends and Trelawneys Family, Cornwall Today , Cornish Guardian , North Cornwall Advertsier and all the groups who help - Cornwall's Rural Charities, Playing Fields association Cornwall WI, the Lions... so many to thanks. </p>
<p>Claire’s husband Dan Townsend said: “My family and I would like to thank everyone that took the time to vote for St. Tudy playground.</p>
<p>“Claire was a wonderful mother to our four children, was very family orientated and loved her job working with children. Claire would be very honoured to have this play equipment in her memory, as are myself and family."</p>
<p>The awards are part of the OneFamily Foundation and were created to give OneFamily customers the opportunity to support projects in their area that matter to them and their families. This year’s awards saw customers nominating projects to win £5,000, £10,000 or £25,000 across four categories.</p>
<p>OneFamily customer Sue Handford has a Family Bond with OneFamily and nominated the St Tudy playground project for the £25,000 award. The group is one of 32 organisations to have won an award in this latest round and one of four who won the maximum award.</p>
<p>Guy French, corporate and customer strategy director at OneFamily said: “I’ve been very moved to see the overwhelming support for this project, which will be a fantastic tribute to Claire’s life and achievements. I was also very sorry to hear about Jeremy.</p>
<p>“As this project shows, our Community Awards support organisations that our customers care about, making a positive difference to their local communities.</p>
<p>“The OneFamily Foundation is a way that we give something back to our customers, and each year we give hundreds of thousands of pounds to causes that matter to them most.”</p>
<p>For more information please visit: <a href="https://www.onefamily.com/your-foundation/">https://www.onefamily.com/your-foundation/</a></p>
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Thu, 05 Oct 2017 10:24:44 +0000Sue179 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukNow we are One- Happy birthday Shires Holt Horse and Pony Sanctuaryhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/now-we-are-one-happy-birthday-shires-holt-horse-and-pony-sanctuary
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p style="margin-left:-49.65pt;">Shires HolShires Holt Horse and Pony Sanctuary are celebrating their first year as an incorporated charity and what a year it has been!! Charity Co- founder Pip Lovelock said:</p>
<p>“We now look after 60 horse and ponies from a wonderful new home at the Colquite Estate thanks to the generosity of Pinky Le Grelle. We have 80 acres of grazing – with 30 acres at Lecudden that we are transforming into what will be our permanent home.</p>
<p>Many wonderful people have donated grazing across North Cornwall and some of our ponies are enjoying life on the Moor- a contrast to their sad existence when we found them.</p>
<p>A big thanks must go to Matt Young at Roger Young Landrover and Isuzu who have loaned us an incredible double cab pickup that has helped us enormously with the workload.</p>
<p>We were delighted to receive a grant from the Elise Pilkington Trust that has enabled us to buy a tractor Hamblys Claas of Launcestion, through their Ara Sales Manager Martyn Conway, have really taken on board our ethos and the importance of our work, and so not only were we able to purchase a Class 446, but also Ritchies mount harrow, Teagle topper, Browns Giraffe Post Driver and loader attachments.</p>
<p>Shires Holt vet, Dave Ellis has retired – thank you Dave for everything. Dave will join Pinky Le Grelle as a trustee. Penmellyn Veterinary Group, under the watchful eye of Hannes Tanzer, have now joined Shire Holt as their vets. “</p>
<p>Respectful symbiotic relationships- what a kind world is made up of...</p>
<p>Shires Holt have a dedicated team of 15 volunteers to help with everything from fundraising, supporting our events and marketing, to the mentally gratifying work of rehabilitating, caring, nurturing. The objective is simple to bring on our horses and ponies with their foundation work to enjoy a fulfilling life again with people in different pursuits from simple conservation grazing to full riding use.</p>
<p>Shires Holt has feature on Cornwall Reports – view here <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ST_8I5a5Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ST_8I5a5Q</a></p>
<p>Looking forward to many more birthdays!</p>
<p> </p>
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Wed, 20 Sep 2017 10:03:50 +0000Sue176 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukSt Tudy Playing Field - bidding for One Family Foundation Fundinghttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/st-tudy-playing-field-bidding-one-family-foundation-funding
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Its been an extra busy few weeks asI have been helping my local village secure funding. I nominated the rather tired playground for a One Family Foundation Award of £25,000.We are awaiting the final results - the funding will buy new play equipment, a wildlife garden and a veg patch for the school and pre school in memory of young mum .</p>
<p>Eighteen months ago I nominated Newquay Rowing Club who needed the funding to finish their Clubhouse, their meeting room and equip their gig shed.so I had experience of what exactly how much effort this takes, especially when competing with cities across the UK. Luckily my work on the London Olympic and Parlympic bid for 2012 stood me in good stead.</p>
<p>You have to mobilise your community with clear messages and a compelling proposition to gain votes. Every channel of communication is needed and a personal approach to friends, family, clients, businesses and connections has been needed. For both these projects we competed with other equally deserving causes across the UK. In Cornwall we do not have the same population so we have to work very hard to spread the message, the benefits and encourage people to vote. Life does go out the window for this time. A massive thank you to all who helped by voting.</p>
<p>The media are key - thanks again to Laurence Reed BBC Radio Cornwall, Graham Smith of Cornwall reports, Scott Harrison and Kirstie Newton of Cornwall and Devon media and Pirate FM.. all really played their part. Our local community magazine and local facebook pages were used extensively. I used images that I took myself and ones from Tower Photography.</p>
<p>I made numerous Facebook posts and used twitter - gaining around 11,000 impressions in under a week- all tailored. I tweeted to key influencers such as the Fishermans Friends, Kirste Newton, Editor of Cornwall Today, Johnny Cowling, Amanda Pennington, Bob Bulgin, Gage Williams,, jounalists and key media. </p>
<p>Groups such as the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Rural Charities, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Nature Partnership, Businesses like Tom Raffield, Sharps Brewery, Vospers, charities like Shires Holt Horse and Pony Sancturay , the Ideas Partnership and then sports and leisure clubs and organisations. Newtork Cornwall is a great network to use and I received some touching messages of support from members.</p>
<p>It is a great scheme. OneFamily customers can nominate good causes to benefit from an award of up to £5,000, £10,000 or £25,000. All entries are then open to a public vote and the most popular projects win the funding. The Community Awards are part of the OneFamily Foundation which was created to give OneFamily customers the opportunity to support their local community and the good causes that matter to them and their families.</p>
<p>This year over 400 customers nominated projects to receive funding across the UK with the voting now open to members of the public until 6 September.</p>
<p> <em>“I nominated this playground in memory of Claire Townsend, a mother of 4 young children and pre-school manager at St Tudy pre - school. The playground has been in existence for many years but the equipment needs updating to encourage active play. I hope we can use this funding to make a significant difference and get kids off their digital devices, get children fit and outside".</em></p>
<p> We had a specific project page at <em style="font-weight: bold;"> <a href="https://foundation.onefamily.com/projects/st-tudy-playing-field-playground/">https://foundation.onefamily.com/projects/st-tudy-playing-field-playground/</a></em></p>
<p>Guy French, Corporate and Customer Strategy Director at OneFamily, said:</p>
<p><em>“The OneFamily Community Awards go right to the heart of what being part of a customer-owned business is all about, directly benefitting our customers and the causes closest to their hearts.</em></p>
<p><em>“Each year we give hundreds of thousands of pounds to fund projects, making a real difference to the good causes and those that benefit from them. A fantastic range of entries have been nominated this year and all of them are projects that our customers care passionately about. Anyone can vote and those that get the most will win, so I’d encourage everyone to get involved.” </em></p>
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Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:06:45 +0000Sue174 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukHelping St Tudy Playing Fieldhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/helping-st-tudy-playing-field
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Struck by the rather sad equipment at St Tudy Playing Field I was pleased to take advantage of a scheme through the One Family Foundation. Customers can nominate projects dear to their heart. </p>
<p>I was delighted that our project in memory of Claire to provide new play equipment was selected and we are now battling it out for votes. Why do I feel so passionatley about play equipment and being outdoors? </p>
<p>Active lifestyles are so important these days and to embed play at an early age , taking advantage of being outdoors will really make a difference to well being.</p>
<p>Playgrounds play an essential role in the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being of children right from the stage of early childhood. It is a natural tool for children to develop resiliency as they learn to cooperate, overcome challenges, and negotiate with others. Play also allows children to be creative. It even provides a platform to build a healthy parent-child relationship.</p>
<p>The amount of time children spend outdoors in playgrounds has rapidly decreased in the last ten years and it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that children of all ages are getting a good amount of exercise.</p>
<p>With the introduction of computers and game consoles, children are becoming used to staying indoors and only interacting through screens and monitors. However, it is essential that children get outdoors both for their health and well-being.</p>
<p>Playgrounds are more than just fun places for your child to spend free time. They can help all kids—especially those with learning and attention issues—develop important skills. Amanda Moine has described why.</p>
<p>Swinging</p>
<p>Swinging is a basic playground activity that can aid your child’s development in many areas. It helps with balance and teaches him to know where his body is in space. And it also gives him practice with fine motor skills (gripping the chain), gross motor skills (pumping his legs to swing higher) and coordination (putting it all together). What’s more, swinging helps the brain learn to make sense of speed and direction, which may be beneficial for kids with visual-perception issues.</p>
<p>Climbing</p>
<p>Climbing playground equipment can help your child’s development. The same is true for climbing trees. Here’s why: In order to climb, your child needs to build an awareness of where his body parts are and what he can do with them. Climbing helps make him aware of directions (like up, down, left and right). Climbing also encourages problem solving and predicting what’s going to happen. For example, your child may wonder, “Where should my right foot go next? How will I get down from the top?” This kind of flexible thinking can help on the playground and in the classroom.</p>
<p>Playing on Overhead Equipment</p>
<p>Playing on overhead equipment, like monkey bars, helps your child develop both fine and gross motor skills. He’s practicing little movements (gripping the bar) as well as big movements (swinging from one bar to the next). Equipment like this is great for kids who have trouble with motor planning. Learning to move one hand at a time from bar to bar can help your child practice coordination and balance. He’ll also learn how to judge where the next bar is in relation to his body.</p>
<p>Having Free Play</p>
<p>Free play can mean anything from organized games to just running around with other kids. But it’s not just goofing around. Free play helps your child learn to communicate with other kids and practice conversation and vocabulary. Playgrounds can help him learn how to follow and change rules, share, and take turns as he makes up games with the other kids. These kinds of social interactions can also help your child practice picking up on social cues like body language and tone of voice.</p>
<p>Playing Ball Games</p>
<p>Games like kickball, tetherball, Whiffle ball and four square all help with kids’ development. As your child figures out how to hold on to, manipulate and throw or kick a ball, he’s practicing motor coordination skills. And as he develops strategies about where he should throw the ball or whether it’s time to run to the next base, he’s working on critical thinking and problem solving.</p>
<p>The full extract is here:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/child-social-situations/playgrounds-playdates/5-playground-activities-that-can-help-your-childs-development?view=slideview">https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/child-social-situations/p...</a></p>
<p>If you would like to vote for our project please cut and paste this link in your browser:</p>
<p><a href="https://foundation.onefamily.com/projects/st-tudy-playing-field-playground/">https://foundation.onefamily.com/projects/st-tudy-playing-field-playground/</a></p>
<p>Thanks to the One Family Foundation for this great opportunity. </p>
<p> </p>
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Thu, 31 Aug 2017 18:33:22 +0000Sue173 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukThe value of sponsorship http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/value-sponsorship
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Sponsorship is a vital tool in business . It offers the possibility of achieving several goals at once. </p>
<p>Enhancing Image/Shaping Consumer Attitudes - companies are looking to improve how they are perceived by their target audience. Sponsoring events that appeal to their market are likely to shape buying attitudes and help generate a positive reaction. Coca-Cola, for example, is always looking to generate a positive influence of their products in the minds of their consumers and as such regularly support events they feel can influence consumer opinions.<br />
Driving Sales - Sponsorship geared to driving sales can be an extremely potent promotional tool. This objective allows sponsors to showcase their product attributes. Food and beverage companies often use sponsorship to encourage samplings and sales.</p>
<p>Visa’s fund-raising effort around its sponsorship of the Olympic Games and the U.S. Olympic Team. They promoted their association by offering to make a donation to the team each time consumers charge a purchase to their card. American Express used a similar strategy by donating to needy causes with their "Charge Against Hunger" campaign. As a result, both companies experienced a significant rise in sales volume.</p>
<p>Creating positive publicity/heightening visibility - Every sponsor is seeking wide exposure across al media media. Positive publicity helps create heightened visibility of products/services. Various media covering the event may include sponsors names and/or photos. In addition, the kind of media coverage a sponsor may get is often unaffordable if the company were to think of purchasing it, even if it were available. To maximize this objective, it is important for the sponsoring company to have a comprehensive media campaign to supplement the regular media coverage promoted by the organizers. </p>
<p>Differentiating from competitors -The mere act of sponsoring is a significant way to create competitor differentiation. Your company name has the opportunity to stand out head and shoulders above the competition. This is particularly helpful if your company wants to combat a competitor with a larger ad budget. Sponsorship allows smaller companies to compete with their industry giants and highlight points of difference.</p>
<p>Target audiences often perceive sponsorship in a positive way. They see you as making a greater effort to support the event, often allowing more or better activities to take place as a result of your sponsorship.</p>
<p>Helping with good "Corporate Citizen" role - companies to be viewed as a "good neighbour." To be seen supporting the community and contributing to its economic development is extremely powerful and creates enormous goodwill. Charities benefit -it doesn't have to be money but expertise and is a great opportunity for a long-term partnership.</p>
<p>Enhancing business, consumer and VIP relations - hospitality opportunities is always very attractive to companies. Perks may include special exclusive networking settings such as VIP receptions or golf tournaments – opportunities to meet key customers and solidify business relationships. </p>
<p>Whatever method is selected it is important to include in your marketing action plan.</p>
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Mon, 21 Aug 2017 17:44:04 +0000Sue172 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukValuable Brandshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/valuable-brands
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We are all aware of the value of brands - and what happens when things change. Powerful brands create strong, permanent and positive associations. Brand Finance has reported that brand is not just about product, but about other qualities including energy, respectability and personality.</p>
<p>Think Apple, Google, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, IBM, Toyota, Samsung,GE, McDonalds, Amazon. Top risers include Facebook, Hermes, Nissan with New entrants including Lego, Paypal, MINI - its all changing. Ford Motor Company where are you ? </p>
<p>Your brand should always be viewed in context of the business environment that it operates. Brand Finace has a series of useful reports by sector in their knowledge centre - a really good reminder of what is important.</p>
<p><a href="http://brandfinance.com/">http://brandfinance.com/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:20:07 +0000Sue171 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukHooray for UK Farminghttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/hooray-uk-farming
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>A new report from Development Economics published in the NFU magazine reveals that for every £1 invested in our farming £7.40 is returned to the economy.</p>
<p>Tremendous stats underline the cruical economic impact made by our farmers. These include:</p>
<ul><li>
£24bn revenue contributed to the UK economy in 2015</li>
<li>
£46bn contribution to the UK economy by UK agriculture in 2015</li>
<li>
£15,3bn spent by farmers on goods and services</li>
<li>
£21bn value of recreational visits to rural Britain</li>
<li>
475,000 people employed in UK agriculture</li>
<li>
900,000 hectares of woodland on UK farmland</li>
<li>
478,000 ponds are located on UK farmland</li>
<li>
373,000km of hedgerows are on UK farmland</li>
<li>
10% of the UK's renewable electricity is generated on UK farmland</li>
<li>
70% of UK rural land is managed by farmers</li>
</ul><p> </p>
<p>Lets make sure our farmers are supported !!</p>
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Mon, 10 Apr 2017 09:53:30 +0000Sue170 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukMarketing Challengeshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/marketing-challenges
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In these days of the plethora of communications channels, social media, media savvy consumers, individual personalisation, new opportunities such as Artificial Intelligence the strain on the marketing budget and the return on investment is enormous.</p>
<p>Traditional advertsising is not enough. Consumers are highly influenced by brand language and look to experts and recommendations rather than advertising on TV or social media when identifying the best brands to buy, according to new research. More than a quarter will just justify their purchases if they feel connected to a specific brand or product according to agency Wunderman and highlighted recently in Marketing Week.</p>
<p>Unilever’s chief marketing and communications officer, Keith Weed, says ensuring the group’s brands show up consistently on different channels is important but sees the fragmentation of brands as “a massive risk for marketers”. Weed believes the array of digital platforms has given brands the opportunity to use location data and target different audience segments, but has led to increased brand fragmentation that is potentially a massive risk. </p>
<p>Weed commented :</p>
<p>“<em>People sometimes say, ‘What keeps you awake at night?’, and it’s the integration of brand. That choice is fantastic but on the other side, it’s also fragmenting our brands. I don’t want to actually optimise it for any one channel; I want to optimise the brand experience. So even if it’s 85% optimised for mobile, if it’s 110% optimised for my brand, that’s great,”</em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.marketingweek.com/2017/01/20/unilevers-weed-brand-integration/?cmpid=em~newsletter~breaking_news~n~n&amp;utm_medium=em&amp;utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=breaking_news&amp;itx%5bemail%5d=sue@chocolatedog.co.uk&amp;eid=3031410">https://www.marketingweek.com/2017/01/20/unilevers-weed-brand-integration/?cmpid=em~newsletter~breaking_news~n~n&amp;utm_medium=em&amp;utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=breaking_news&amp;itx[email]=sue@chocolatedog.co.uk&amp;eid=3031410</a></p>
<p>Integration is not the only issue- it is critical that your brand language is relevant and your brand is validated through personal reviews – exceeding expectations is key.</p>
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Thu, 26 Jan 2017 09:38:52 +0000Sue169 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukCornwall Wildlife Trust - Cornwall's wildlife charity!http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/cornwall-wildlife-trust-cornwalls-wildlife-charity
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I have been working with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) , the wildlife charity working to protect Cornwall's wildlife and wild places. CWT has helped people enjoy nature for over 50 years and is passionate about nature conservation. Its been a fascinating insight to the work of this charity and their many volunteers.</p>
<p>There are 47 Wildlife Trusts that are defined as “an independent, autonomous charity with its own trustees, whose primary concern is the conservation of nature within its own geographical area.Local Trusts are split into regions; a single Trust covers Scotland; Wales has six Trusts which work increasingly closely together; there are Trusts for Ulster, the Isle of Man, Alderney and the Isles of Scilly and 36 Trusts across England largely based on the old county boundaries or small groupings of such counties. All 47 Trusts are members of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. <a href="http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/your-local-trust">http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/your-local-trust</a></p>
<p>CWT’s vision statement is for “<em>for Cornwall to be rich in wildlife, cared for and appreciated by one and all.” </em>Their mission<em> is </em><em>“to rebuild Cornwall’s biodiversity and engage everyone with the natural environment.”</em></p>
<p>The CWT have clear objectives:</p>
<ul><li style="margin-left: 54pt;">
deliver a living landscape for Cornwall.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 54pt;">
restore Cornwall’s living seas</li>
<li style="margin-left: 54pt;">
inspire people about Cornwall’s wildlife and environment</li>
<li style="margin-left: 54pt;">
grow resources for delivery of our nature conservations goals</li>
<li style="margin-left: 54pt;">
be widely recognised in Cornwall and beyond </li>
<li style="margin-left: 54pt;">
manage ourselves effectively</li>
</ul><p>In 2016 the Wildlife Trusts were selected as the charity partner for the John Lewis Christmas TV advertisement offering an unrivalled opportunity to raise the profile of the work of the Trusts. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2016/nov/16/secrecy-wildlife-trusts-john-lewis-christmas-ad">https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2016/nov/16/secrecy-wildlife-trusts-john-lewis-christmas-ad</a>.</p>
<p>CWT protects Cornwall's wildlife and wild places on land and in our seas by a range of activities:</p>
<ul><li style="margin-left: 36pt;">
by managing 57 nature reserves, covering over 5,500 acres, that give refuge to rare and endangered species</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36pt;">
by working in partnership with farmers, land owners and fishermen to support wildlife friendly management through our Living Landscapes and Living Seas projects</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36pt;">
by campaigning and lobbying to protect wildlife and its environment to influence government policy</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36pt;">
by recording and monitoring wildlife, share information, knowledge and expertise</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36pt;">
by raising awareness about Cornwall's wildlife through education, events and volunteer opportunities</li>
<li style="margin-left: 36pt;">
by helping children have fun with nature through Fox Club, the junior wildlife club aimed at primary aged children</li>
</ul><p style="margin-left:36.0pt;">Find out more at <a href="http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk">http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk</a>.</p>
<p style="margin-left:36.0pt;"> </p>
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Fri, 20 Jan 2017 14:18:10 +0000Sue168 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukCampaign to save Bodmin Public Roomshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/campaign-save-bodmin-public-rooms
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I was really pleased to be able to help the Committee that is working so hard to save this icomic Grade 2 listed building, located in the heart of Bodmin.</p>
<p>Built in 1891 by the trades people of Bodmin for the people of Bodmin; the Public Rooms have been at the centre of community life, hosting dances, discos, music and proving affordable space for community groups to hire as the only large capacity space in the growing town of Bodmin for over 100 years.</p>
<p>In April 2013 Bodmin Town Council closed this valuable community asset and despite public objections the Public Rooms are now on the open market for £133,500.</p>
<p> The building has been listed as an asset of community value with the Cornwall Council under the community right to bid scheme. This allows community groups a period of time to raise the funds required to purchase the building. The Committee has until 1<sup>st</sup> December after which time the Town Council are free to sell the building to whomever they wish.</p>
<p>Bodmin is a deprived area with few leisure facilities, The Bodmin Public Rooms Trust want to buy, and with the aid of grant funding, restore and refurbish this fabulous building and re-open it for community use. The vision is to create a multi-functional mixed space venue, capable of hosting music, theatre and other major events, as well as being flexible enough to serve community groups. Increased activities in the centre of the town will help local business and revitalise the town and make Bodmin a better place to live.</p>
<p>This is an exciting project, but immediate action is needed to purchase the building, to ensure it remains a public building for community use.</p>
<p><a href="http://bodminpublicrooms.org/">http://bodminpublicrooms.org/</a> and facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bodmin-Public-Rooms-602550843142310/">https://www.facebook.com/Bodmin-Public-Rooms-602550843142310/</a></p>
<p>Can you help support this great cause?</p>
<p> </p>
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Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:24:11 +0000Sue167 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukCedar Croft Christmas Treeshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/cedar-croft-christmas-trees
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Now that November is nearly here I feel I can mention Christmas. For the second year running we are working with Mark Orchard at Cedar Croft Christmas Trees. Its a little different behind the scenes as we reveiwed the marketing plan for 2015 and have started to implement the 2016 plan.</p>
<p>Mark has bought an additional 6 acres from long-term St Tudy resident, Caroline Lyle. He has planted over 25,000 trees at his main location and now will be able to start planting 20,000 trees in the new year on the new ground. Fantastic!</p>
<p>He has upgraded his shop, and expanded the range of Christmas decorations stocked. Ultimatly though the supply of high-quality Christmas Trees are his core business and we were delighted that he has deceided to work with Chocolate Dog Marketing Services again.</p>
<p>Mark said:</p>
<p>"I wanted to continue the professional approach from Sue and her team that has added so much value. It is really important communicating to the right audiences and getting the message out about our Cornish-grown Christmas trees".</p>
<p>Cedar Croft Christmas Trees are open every day from 10am- 4pm until noon on Christmas Eve. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.cedarcroft.co.uk">www.cedarcroft.co.uk</a></p>
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Sun, 30 Oct 2016 16:25:44 +0000Sue166 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukPhilanthropy in Fashionhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/philanthropy-fashion
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>A recent article in " Style" by the Sunday Times has detailed a new level of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) by some European Fashion Houses.This gives a great insight into some of the wonderful work and causes being supported.</p>
<p>Diego Della Valle, is boss of Tod's leatherware houes and he has recently invested 25million Euros (£21million) in the first phase of the Colosseum's restoration, contributing to the safegarding of one of the world's most iconic buildings.</p>
<p>Fendi has recently contributed 2.2 million to the facelift of the Trevi Fountain.</p>
<p>In Florence 1.5million has been spent by Salvatore Ferragamo to restore the Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza della Signoria, continuing to support the city in a number of areas that started in the 1990s.</p>
<p>Brunello Cucinelli donates up to 20% of his group's earnings that contribute to a foundation dedicated to " giving back".</p>
<p>Prada, Versace and the publishing House Feltrinelli joined forces to help contribute 3million Euros to fund the restoration of one of the world's oldest shopping arcades.</p>
<p>French fashion house, Dior, supported the restoration of the Chateau de Versailles. LMVH chairman, Bernard Arnault, has created the Fondation Louis Vuitton. In 2014 it opened a 109 million euro centre for contemporary art in the Bois de Boulogne.</p>
<p>LVMH's subsidiary, Bulgari has raised £38millin for Save the Children, developing a specific Save the Children Collection, donating money for each peice sold.</p>
<p>In the States there is a long history of support by Ralph Lauren. In 1989 the firm joined forces to develop the Nina Hyde Centre for Breats Cancer Research. ralph Lauren later founded the the Ralph Lauren Centre for Cancer Care and prevention in Harlem. Earlier this year another Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research was opened at the Royal Marsden Hospital.</p>
<p>Burberry sets aside 1% of its profits for charity and has developed an "Acoustics" programme for support for muscians.</p>
<p>Philanthropy has a business benefit as well as doing great work. For any consumers brands can be linked and embedded in culture, staff and consumers can bond around a project or passion, and can help secure new talent as well as providing valuable PR.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Based on an article by John Hooper. </p>
<p> </p>
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Mon, 19 Sep 2016 14:27:49 +0000Sue165 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukHistory of the Port Isaac Lifeboats 1869- 2016http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/history-port-isaac-lifeboats-1869-2016
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Most readers will be aware I love gigrowing from Port Isaac. As such I am very aware of the dangers of the sea and changing sea and weather conditions on the North Cornish Coast. This is a great book and really brought to life.</p>
<p>Authors Nicholas Leach and Bob Bulgin BEM have worked together to comb the records, both from official RNLI sources, County and local archives to produce this authoritative history of the lifeboats that have served in Port Isaac and stories of the crews, fundraisers and supporters who have ensured it`s effective operation along this rugged and dangerous Atlantic coastline since 1869.</p>
<p> This high quality book contains over 198 unique photographs, many of which have not been published before, charting the development of the lifeboat from the first Pulling Boat - Richard and Sarah in 1869 through to the early introduction of the first Inflatable Inshore boat in 1967 leading now to the state of the art</p>
<p>Gripping stories of the boats and outstanding rescue operations for which gallantry medals have been awarded and the important part it has played in village life have been documented by Bob and Nicholas . There are accounts from the volunteer crew providing first-hand insights into the work of the lifesavers and an interesting illustrated section recording the important part played by a number of recognised artists who have supported the Station Fund activities over the past 12 years.</p>
<p>A wealth of historic photographs appear including a number of which illustrate the dramatic launching operation in the early 19<sup>th</sup> and early 20<sup>th</sup> Centuries as the lifeboat and launching carriage, weighing over 6 tons, had to be manoeuvred through the narrow streets of the village, often with hundreds of people , both locals and visitors hauling on the controlling ropes in order to reach the harbour slipway… later to be followed by the even more arduous task of return by the same route to the Lifeboat House high up on the East side of the village.</p>
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Mon, 12 Sep 2016 14:35:30 +0000Sue164 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukLifetime Membership Award from Newquay Rowing Clubhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/lifetime-membership-award-newquay-rowing-club
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>On Friday 17th July I was invited by Newquay Rowing Club to be the the guest of honnor at the long-established Gannel Race. This is a gig rowing race that has its roots back in the 1950's. Four gigs race from the River Gannal over the sandbar and round the rocks and the headlands to Newquay Harbour. It is a test of strength, stamina and coxing ability. We followed in Phil;lip Trebilcock's fisihng boat along with many other boats containg cheering supporters as the crews battled for position.</p>
<p>The wiining gig Spy, raced home in just over 30 minutes closely followed by the others.</p>
<p>As well as presenting the tropht to the winning crew, I was delighted to be presented with a lifetime membership award for my support for the Club over the years. Last year I raised £25,000 from the One Family Foundation. This was a challenge and needed to have a campaign across a number of communication channel but with the support of the community, friends and family we did it!!.</p>
<p>I was very touched to be awarded this - the last membership was awarded 16 years ago!! Thank you Newquay Rowing Club! </p>
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Sun, 24 Jul 2016 11:36:40 +0000Sue160 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukVision for a Field of Dreams in Newquay: Fundraising Supporthttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/vision-field-dreams-newquay-fundraising-support
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The Peppermints have ambitious plans to secure the future of the Youth Section of the Club that will allow increasing numbers of local children to play football, develop their skills and compete. Sue Handford is helping with the ambitious fundraising targets.</p>
<p>Thanks to the wonderful support of Colan Parish Council, the Club has secured a long lease of 25 years at Colan Playing Fields. They now are starting the quest to raise around £400,000 to fund their exciting vision. The plan is to lay professional, grass football pitches with proper drainage with a shower block, access road and parking and hopefully, subject to fundraising and local demand, a community room and kitchen.</p>
<p>The Club has made a stunning start with £50,000 from Sport England Jubilee Fund and funding support from the FA (the exact amount is to be confirmed). However more is needed to complete this exciting and inspirational development that will benefit the children and parents of Newquay.</p>
<p>Phase 1, in the first year, will provide high- quality football pitches with proper drainage together with an access road and parking. Phase 2 will see the construction of showers, toilets and changing rooms so that the youth teams do not have to change in public and can return home clean.</p>
<p>The final phase subject to local demand, funding and planning, will include a training /function room and kitchen that can be used by local community groups as well as the Club.</p>
<p>Pete Butterly is Chairman of the Newquay Community Football Club Committee and said:</p>
<p><em>“NAFC (youth division) has in excess of 250 Newquay children, both boys and girls, from ages 4 to 16. The number of children we have enable us to have teams playing in leagues covering the whole of Cornwall. Teams play in league matches across Cornwall from the ages of 7 in appropriate age and ability teams from Bude, down to Torpoint and across to Penzance. They can progress to the adult club once over the age of 16 where they can play throughout their career. </em></p>
<p><em>We offer training and coaching. This is very popular but we are in need of quality facilities and pitches due to this massive growth in membership and requests from parents for more training, coaching and competition opportunities.</em></p>
<p><em>The venue at Colan is my “field of dreams”. We are now starting to fundraise, so please can everyone support us.”</em></p>
<p>Eagan Fabby (pictured) lives near Summercourt. Eagan has played for Newquay since he was 7 years of age. Now 11 years old, Eagan said:</p>
<p><em>“I love playing football for Newquay. I have made so many new friends since I started and enjoy training each week learning new things”.</em></p>
<p>Sharon Redman’s daughter, Katie has been involved with NAFC’s youth division for many years. From 8 years of age Katie has been playing grassroots football with the boys and has now been selected to play in her first International game for the England Schools Football Association (ESFA) under 15’s team. Katie is also at final stage of being selected for the full England under 15's side. This is a tremendous achievement.</p>
<p>Sharon said:</p>
<p>“<em>As a football referee I was very wary of girls playing with boys - it’s very difficult. Katie went for a trial with NAFC’s youth division and I had a call from Jeff Besley saying she was selected for the Under 9’s. She showed great talent and playing made her stronger, more skilful, tougher and more aware. Katie has played in Valencia and in Manchester and is looking forward her first international cap in the Paul Docherty trophy next month.</em></p>
<p><em>We live in Newquay and it will be fantastic to have Club base with proper pitches. It is so important for children to play, train and learn together and it means the club can have the facilities they need for the long-term future of youth football in Newquay</em></p>
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Sun, 24 Jul 2016 11:17:53 +0000Sue159 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukEmployee Engagement, your Corporate Culture and marketing challengeshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/employee-engagement-your-corporate-culture-and-marketing-challenges
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>A recent survey by Deloitte UniversityPress identified that 87% of employees surveryed believed that employee engagement is important for their organisation. However only 33% thought that they were good at driving enegagement. The employee-work contract has changed, compelling business leaders to engage employees as sensitive, passionate, creative contributors. This is a shift from improving employee engagement to a focus on employee inclusion to help build an irresistible, trusted organization.</p>
<p>Five elements were seen to drive engagement:</p>
<ul><li>
meaningful work</li>
<li>
hands on management including clear goals</li>
<li>
a positive work environment</li>
<li>
growth opportunity</li>
<li>
a trust in their leadership</li>
</ul><p><a href="http://dupress.com/articles/employee-engagement-strategies/">http://dupress.com/articles/employee-engagement-strategies/</a></p>
<p>However Branding agency, Wolff Olins, has idenified employees today as "uncorporate individualists" and the challenge for business leaders is to create an "uncorporation" where business leaders have to radically change their approach. For example the Wolff Olins reports cites the need to:</p>
<ul><li>
focus on inputs to create a strong, ethical culture rather than just sales driven outputs</li>
<li>
motivate through a shared social purpose -"clear and fuzzy", allowing individaulism and independance</li>
<li>
employees are now more confident, more mobile, more demanding, more idealistic in some cases, and less willing to be company people. Employees, more than ever, are individualists.</li>
<li>
consider generational management</li>
</ul><p>At a recent Exeter Business Leaders lecture, Deborah Meaden spoke about the challenges of managing and working with a number of generations in one organisation:</p>
<ul><li>
Baby Boomers – Born from ’46 to ‘64</li>
<li>
Generation X – ’65 – ‘77</li>
<li>
Generation Y – ’78 onwards </li>
</ul><p>She pointed out that each generation works in its own way and therefore needs to be managed accordingly to ensure they can all work to the best of their ability. However one size does not fit all and this is certainly true in marketing.</p>
<p>Marketeers are grappling with an increasing number of communication channels, decreasing budgets and an audience that is fickle and often price conscious, unless you are marketing a luxury brand. Never has it been more important than to ensure your brand keeps its promises to customers and retains their trust. Great customer experiences are crucial, loyal customers are more vital than ever but they are more fickle . Some of the world's most famous brands have been hit by scandals and controversies - think of VW and their emissions, corporate tax avoidance, Tesco and paying its suppliers.. the list goes on and on and lets not mention the banks!.</p>
<p>For marketeers working with their teams and their creatives, the challenges are great! Consumers are demanding products and services that are actively responsive and personal.</p>
<p>Remember customer engagement is not a direct journey and neither is employee engagement! </p>
<p> </p>
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Mon, 01 Feb 2016 20:44:39 +0000Sue158 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukSouth West Image Bankhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/south-west-image-bank
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The South West Image Bank is a community-led photographic archive, founded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and maintained by the Plymouth Barbican Trust.</p>
<p>Based in the historic Barbican area of Plymouth, SWIB are the custodians of over 1 million images of the south west region's past.</p>
<p>This year we have worked with the team to raise their profile, develop a sponsorship proposition. This has secured funding that will help the team continue their fantastic work as well as developing a strategic connection with Plymouth Citybus.</p>
<p>Established in 2007 to collect, preserve and safeguard the photographic heritage of the South West Region, SWIB specialises in social history; the stories of ordinary people and how those have come to define the strong sense of place, pride and identity in the South West of England. </p>
<p>SWIB is run by one part-time Archive Director, supported by a team of volunteers who are committed to providing positive outcomes to the local community through access to over 170 individual collections.</p>
<p>SWIB is the largest photographic archive in the South West:</p>
<ul><li style="margin-left: 38.4pt;">
Dates from 1890 to 2009</li>
<li style="margin-left: 38.4pt;">
Notable and useable collections including:
<ul><li style="margin-left: 56.4pt;">
THE WESTERN MORNING NEWS/ THE PLYMOUTH HERALD Photographic Archive 1950s-2000s; Depicting the largest post war development of the city through to community activities and social events in living memory. Spans Devon &amp; Cornwall.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 56.4pt;">
ROY WESTLAKE COLLECTION 1940s-1990s; Commercial photographer whose collection includes; rebuilding of Plymouth after it was devastated in the Second World War, construction of the Civic centre and the Royal visit by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the opening in July 1962. Images of Dartmoor and the coast, which really convey the beauty of the South West.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 56.4pt;">
THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES COLLECTION; Spanning the growth of the Co-operative from the early 1900’s to the 1900’s, including many internal store shots, window displays and even Vidal Sassoon in the 1960’s.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 56.4pt;">
DINGLES COLLECTION (House of Fraser) 1940s to the 1980s; This collection includes images from the interior and exterior of the buildings, the staff at work, a number of events taking place at Dingles during this period and pictures of the Blitz.</li>
</ul></li>
<li>
Found within our collections other notable events include; Tamar Bridge Construction, Sir Francis Chichester’s return to Plymouth in Gypsy Moth IV after voyaging around the world, Plymouth Argyle and Home Park.</li>
<li>
Two beautifully preserved collections of Victorian life in the South West dated c1890 and the Ron Andrews Collection covering 1920’s Life and Politics in the South West. </li>
</ul></div>
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Fri, 04 Dec 2015 10:43:11 +0000Sue154 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukChocolate Dog Marketing Services on the Shortlist for the Cornwall Sustainability Awardshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/chocolate-dog-marketing-services-shortlist-cornwall-sustainability-awards
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I am delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards. As a small business with a dedicated office I wanted to expand and add a meeting room . This has been a long-term vision and it certainly was a long-term building project that was definitely a challenge.</p>
<p>I really wanted to have a contemporay design but it was important to use reclaimed materials, modern insulation, local sourcing where possible especially with local timber (where possible- a result of my research in the timber industry) and local, talented subcontractors. My main builder had to understand this ethos. All the local talent was great and I finished the building by project managing the final stages. </p>
<p>It was an ideal opportunity to change heating, reroof and add solar PV and solar thermal. We took advice and opted for a Kensa Ground Source heat pump. Kensa are a Cornish company and gave exceptional advice.We then needed Western Power to come and upgrade cables but all went well and the big switch on means we are now powered by the heat pump using 4 boregholes in the garden. </p>
<p>CSA aims to encourage, reward and gain recognition for the excellent work businesses are doing to improve their own sustainability and that of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as a whole. CSA was launched in 2002 by Jonathon Porritt and i found out about the awards at the Cornwall Expo. held in the autumn. </p>
<p>So what is sustainability?</p>
<p>"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."</p>
<p>Bruntland Report for the World Commission on Development (1992)</p>
<p>I am passionate about becoming more self reliant and by carefully using our resouces carefully. We all need to do more and the UK has a lot to do.</p>
<p>According to a report in the Guardian - Uruguay has already slashed its carbon footprint. The national director of energy, Ramón Méndez says that now that renewables provide 94.5% of the country’s electricity, prices are lower than in the past relative to inflation. There are also fewer power cuts because a diverse energy mix means greater resilience to droughts.</p>
<p>It was a very different story just 15 years ago. Back at the turn of the century oil accounted for 27% of Uruguay’s imports and a new pipeline was just about to begin supplying gas from Argentina. Now the biggest item on the import balence sheet is wind turbine which fill the country's ports on the way to installation. Biomass, HEP and solar power now account for 55% of the country's energy mix (including transport fuel) with a population of 3.4 million. </p>
<p>We all need to take a look at what we can do - it makes economic and environmental sense. </p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/kensa" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Kensa</a></div>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/small-business" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">small business</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/vision-renewables" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">vision renewables</a></div>
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Fri, 04 Dec 2015 10:21:18 +0000Sue153 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukCedar Croft Nursery Christmas Treeshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/cedar-croft-nursery-christmas-trees
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We have been working on a wonderful project - marketing Cedar Croft Nurseries who grow and sell Christmas Trees.</p>
<p>Corrnishman, Mark Orchard, founded Cedar Croft Nurseries at St Tudy in 1990. Mark had just left Cornwall College where he had studied Commercial Horticulture with Bill Herring, brassica expert and lecturer. At the age of 18 years of age he knew what he wanted to do:</p>
<p>“I wanted to grow plants and tree. I have always got immense satisfaction from seeing things grow, and helping people select the best plans for their gardens. Even from an early age when I was at Penrice School in St Austell I decided that is what I would like to do” .</p>
<p>Mark had a lot of family support. With dog Jess for company and joined by his nephew Joe Brandon, Mark started planting Christmas trees and holly in 1991 on land next to the glasshouses on the B3266. The nursery business focussed on vegetables and bedding plants with Cedar Croft building up a great reputation for high-quality plants and trees.</p>
<p>Cedar Croft Nurseries have a number of greenhouses for rent and can arrange specific storage containers. A pop up Christmas Shop sells Christmas decorations, holly, mistletoe and foliage. Logs and coal are sold all year. It is easy to park and most areas are easily accessible with specific investment into paths suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Christmas Trees Cedar Croft developed the business so that the whole family can participate in choosing their tree. As well as delighting families Mark sells his trees to hotels, including St Moritz and Watergate Bay; businesses including Sharps Brewery and towns including Tregony. Mark has also donated 10 trees to Children's Hospice SW.</p>
<p>There are a range of species grown that include:</p>
<p>• the traditional Norway Spruce</p>
<p>• the needlefast Nordmann fir</p>
<p>• the Noble fir</p>
<p>• the Fraser fir</p>
<p>• the Serbian fir</p>
<p>• the Orientalis fir</p>
<p>• the Grandis fir</p>
<p>There are a wide variety of colours, shades and needles shapes and sizes. Trees are replanted immediately and continuously. This year Mark will plant around 3,000 more trees in this next few months. Cedar Croft Nurseries are truly a sustainable business and carbon positive.</p>
<p>We have helpd with branding, commnications and promotion.This included a 2 page feature in Cornwal Today, and a competition to win a wonderful Cornish grown Christmas Tree. </p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/cedar-croft-nurseries" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Cedar Croft Nurseries</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/duchy-college" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Duchy College</a></div>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/childrens-hospice-sw" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Children&#039;s Hospice SW</a></div>
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Thu, 03 Dec 2015 10:42:29 +0000Sue152 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukYipee!!!! The campaign to win the One Family Foundation Award for £25,000 has been successfulhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/yipee-campaign-win-one-family-foundation-award-%C2%A325000-has-been-successful
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Residents in Newquay and the surrounding area were today celebrating the news that they had won a £25,000 OneFamily Foundation Community Award which will transform their rowing club.<br />
The not-for-profit club, which has been operating in outdated facilities for years, recently extended its clubhouse to include a meeting room with kitchen, gym and pilot store for 11 gigs (six-oared pilot gig rowing boats), but was unable to afford to fit out the facility. Now the club has secured the £25,000 award, they will be able, in the words of Sue Handford, OneFamily customer and supporter of the Newquay Rowing Club, “this is fantastic news- it is so great to help a sport that I love and a club that does so much for the sport and the community. These facilities will now be able to fitted out, ready for the 2016 season.” <br />
The club will now fit out its gym, changing rooms and showers, so that people of all abilities will be able to train, even when bad weather means it’s unsafe to row at sea. And very importantly, the wider community will also benefit hugely, as the gym and meeting room will be available to local people as well as rowers.<br />
John Cuthill, Chairman of the Club explained: “Our volunteers have been raising funds for many years to build an extension that will benefit both the local people and the national rowing community, which visits our club throughout the year. Thanks to the OneFamily award, we will achieve our ambition of offering a full-service club to our supporters and the wider community. We really can’t thank OneFamily, and the supporters who got behind us, enough!”<br />
The OneFamily Foundation is a unique customer benefit fund, provided by the mutual organisation, OneFamily, which has committed to make £5million available to its members over the next five years to make their lives and communities better.OneFamily provides investments, savings, health and life insurance products to help families work together to meet the financial demands of modern life. As a customer-owned business it is run for the benefit of its customers. The OneFamily Foundation redistributes a portion of the organisation’s profits, and intends to make £5 million available to customers over the next five years to help them, their families and their local communities. The Foundation has also helped hundreds of customers with personal grants since its launch in 2014, and its funding pot is made possible due to the financial stability of the customer-owned organisation.<br />
<br />
There are four categories for each award, in order to ensure the Foundation gives a wider range of community projects an equal chance to access the funds. For this round of Community Awards there is one award of £25,000 and four awards of £5,000 available in each category. Newquay Rowing Club won the largest award available in the Youth and Affiliated organisations category.<br />
Karl Elliott, Marketing Director at OneFamily said: “We are delighted to award one of our four largest amounts of community funding to Newquay Rowing Club. The great lengths that they have gone to generate interest and support for their community scheme in Newquay is exactly the kind of initiative and approach we had in mind when we launched the Foundation.”<br />
Sue Handford, One Family customer continued: “Firstly, I want to thank OneFamily for giving me the opportunity to nominate a project so close to my heart. I’d also like to show my gratitude to all of those who supported us through the funding application and during the voting process. With so many worthy projects nominated, I said that every vote would count and it certainly did. Newquay’s sports clubs, businesses, tourism-makers and the wider community have all played a vital role in us achieving our goal and we can’t thank them enough for all of their support.”<br />
For further information about the OneFamily Foundation please go to <a href="https://foundation.onefamily.com/">https://foundation.onefamily.com/</a></p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/cornish-pilot-gig-association" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Cornish Pilot Gig Association</a></div>
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Mon, 09 Nov 2015 17:27:35 +0000Sue151 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukNewquay Rowing Club's bid for the One Family Foundation Awardhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/newquay-rowing-clubs-bid-one-family-foundation-award
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>As a customer of the One Family Group I am delighted to be able to nominate projects close to my heart. The One Family Foundation has over £5million to distribute over the next five years so you can be sure I will be making the most of this.</p>
<p>I have nominated Newquay Rowing Club for a £25k award so they can fit out their extension. Why? Well for a number of reasons:</p>
<ul><li>
They were the first club in the Cornish Pilot Gig Association and really set about preserviing and restoring pilot gigs</li>
<li>
The Club has over 600 members and are always involved in the local community </li>
<li>
They host gigrowing's national championships each year</li>
<li>
The extension is for the community as well as the rowers </li>
<li>
The faciltiies will greatly benefit the harbour</li>
</ul><p>Please help by voting at <a href="https://foundation.onefamily.com/projects/newquay-rowing-club-extension">https://foundation.onefamily.com/projects/newquay-rowing-club-extension</a><br type="_moz" /><br />
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/cornish-pilot-gig-association" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Cornish Pilot Gig Association</a></div>
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Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:34:11 +0000Sue150 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukThe World's Toughest Race! Chocolate Dog Marketing are playing their part! http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/worlds-toughest-race-chocolate-dog-marketing-are-playing-their-part
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Hamish Stewart and Neil Blackerby are both experienced gig rowers having been members of Port Isaac Rowing Club for many years. Known as the “Atlantic Buoys” they are competing in the Talisker Whiskey Challenge to raise funds for the Children’s Hospice South West. Leaving on December 15th they will be competing in the world’s toughest row in a 3000 mile race, from San Sebastian in La Gomera to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, Antigua. They will face the great vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean known by sailors in World War Two as the cruel sea. Huge Atlantic swells, strong winds, shipping including massive container ships, dunnage (old naval term for packing and things washed off ships) that could potentially sink “Deja Blue” In places and it is over 10,000ft or 3339m deep in places add to the challenge of the incredible endurance row.<br />
As Hamish said: “We have bought a 24 ft ocean rowing boat, Deja Blue, built in 2009 from four pieces of laser cut marine ply. She did the crossing in 2009, hit a reef one mile from the finish. We have repaired and equipped her. A cabin at stern fits in all our equipment and ourselves. However if we have to "batten down the hatches". We will not be able to sit up! We are totally self- sufficient: solar panel running our electrics. We have just picked up or water maker! There are two rowing positions with sliding seats, though with 30/40 foot swells it is more a case of keeping the boat moving than rowing like a dervish on "still" water. Each position has two oars rather than one oar as in gigs and will row two hours on and two off for 24 hrs a day for around Compared to gig –rowing it is very different. The boat and oars are lighter and we sit on sliding seats. Like gig rowing “gig ass” will be a real threat. Salt, and salt sores, sunstroke, being constantly wet will add to our physical discomfort. We will be rowing for 60/70 days losing possibly up to 20% of our body weight. The boat is 10 foot shorter than a gig, but fully equipped will weigh one tonne, and we will have to re - balance the boat as we use up our rations: all expedition food adding hot water from a jet boil. We run on solar panels which runs all our electrics, including the watermaker. Deja Blue, like a gig, will benefit from the following swell. We DO NOT want to be lifted and turned (top to tail). All our provisions are stored in Henderson hatches on our deck area. The bow "cabin" will store paranchor, drogues, anchor and other heavy gear. Steering is by footplate and hand lines and we will have a back- up rudder, made from ply. Other equipment includes our life raft, (stored on deck) epirb, grab bag, and emergency med kit with sat phone”.<br />
The Buoys have been busy all year raising funding to buy their boat and fully equip her all Supported by Sharps Brewery their main sponsor, a big thank you also goes to Tregonning Ford, Barnecutts Bakery, Specsavers (Bodmin), Cornish Horizons, Camel Glass, local musician Josh Curnow, Gary Dutton Meats, Designed2 create, Box2Beat, Wadebridge Kitchens, First Great Western, Chocolate Dog Marketing Services who have provided sponosrhsip and PR support and Amy Byfield. Dominic Walford from Wadebridge Chamber of Commerce has been exceptional.<br />
Neil said: “We are so pleased with the support. We want to raise £45,000 for Children’s Hospice South West so please help”<br />
Judy Pride, a Community Fundraiser for the Hospice: “We are humbled that Hamish and Neil are prepared to take on such a huge challenge and to put themselves through this to help families who are facing their own- very different challenge. They are inspiring selfless men who deserve all the support that anyone can provide and I really hope that the local community will help them achieve their goal”.</p>
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Fri, 18 Sep 2015 10:20:22 +0000Sue149 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukThe Great London River Race 2015: Europe's most colourful and spectacular river race!http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/great-london-river-race-2015-europes-most-colourful-and-spectacular-river-race
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>On September 12th over 36 Gig Clubs headed to London to compete in the annual Great London River Race. They joined over 300 boats from acrossthe UK and around the world to compete in the annual London River Marathon.</p>
<p>This is a spectacular boat race up the River Thames for over 21 miles attracting over 2500 competitors who range from dedicated regular racers to fun rowers and paddlers. Crews include barely-teenage Scouts to national champions. Groups as diverse as rowing clubs, councils, schools, livery companies, pubs, youth clubs, police, fire brigades and the Armed Forces all take part. A great variety of boats race up the Thames from Millwall Slipway to Ham House and include Cornish Pilot gigs, skiffs, cutters, currachs, jolly boats, naval whalers, Chinese dragon boats, Hawaiian war canoes, Viking longships, shallops, skerries, wherries and many more.</p>
<p>Gigs entered from clubs that include Helford, Bude, Boscastle &amp; Crackington, Port Isaac, Rame, Tamar and Tavy, Clovelly, Dart Holland, Portland, Salcombe, Barnstaple, Weymouth, and Hayling Island. Service crews from HMS Raleigh (Torpoint), Britannia Royal Naval College and RM Tamar.</p>
<p>It is a great event - many clubs arrive on Friday to camp and join in the festivities at Thames Young Mariners in Riverside Drive, Ham, brilliantly organised by Vic Griffiths and the 14th Richmond Sea Scouts. On the Friday night a BBQ and band entertain the crews and their families. In the morning a fleet of double decker buses transport the crews across London to the start at Millwall Slipway. Last year three gigs entered from the small club of Port Isaac with their crews were dressed as Cornish Choughs. This year Unity, Roscarrock and Corsair will again be racing down the Thames in this hotly contested race.</p>
<p>Many crews will be striving to win the premier prize, the Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen &amp; Lightermen of the River Thames, awarded to the first boat over the line, to figure in one of the 33 other classes or simply to finish and collect a much-prized participation certificate. The Race is run on a ‘slowest away first, fastest last’ pursuit handicap basis, meaning the last boat away will have to make up over an hour to win. Most will be raising money for charity, including the Race’s official 2015 charity, Seafarers UK, and many are sure to add to the spectacle of the Race by competing in fancy dress. The Race started from Millwall Slipway E14, at 10.45 am and the leading boat crossed the Finish line, below Ham House, Richmond, TW10, at around 13.40.</p>
<p>Stuart Wolff, Race Director and Founder of the Great River Race comments: "From humble beginnings in on September 3,1988 when our first Race attracted 72 crews from six nations, the public's imagination and interest has helped it become the international event it is today. From our first Race, 1988, when Roseland Gig Club posted the fastest time, until last year’s record 47 CPG entries, Gig Clubs have provided a colourful and highly-competitive core to the afternoon’s racing while joining in the social side with typical enthusiasm. We hope and expect this year to be no different.”</p>
<p>I ws coxing Port Isaac men's crew , this year will be my eighth Great London River Race - it’s a tremendous event. It is great fun to compete with so many other crews on the challenging waters of the Thames which is still open for river traffic. This was my first attempt at coxing a challenging race. We did really well thanks to hard work by my crew and finished 4th in the Cornish Pilot Gig section and 21st overall. Am only glad I didn't hit anyone or anything and end up in a Specsavers ad. I can vouch from personal experience coxes are kept on their toes to choose the best line and the correct bridge arch. All the crews carry a passenger who has a very real role to play in encouraging the crews, keeping a lookout and joining in the rowing if they can. It’s a great spectacle and people crowd the bridges to cheer the crews on. After the race there is the prize giving and a great party that carries on until the early hours of the morning. You find the energy from somewhere. For any gig club that hasn’t participated it is well worth it. Just plan ahead and book early.”</p>
<p>Article first produced for Gigrower Magazine. Photography by Rob Powell.</p>
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Mon, 14 Sep 2015 11:33:50 +0000Sue148 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukBritish Produce - are you prepared to support our farmers? http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/british-produce-are-you-prepared-support-our-farmers
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In my August NFU magazine there was an interesting article about British produce.</p>
<p>Research from Barclays has revealed that two thirds of the 2,000 consumers questioned would buy more British Produce to support UK farmers.</p>
<p>Shoppers would be ready to pay a 17% premium on average for UK food over imported equivalents. Consumers are naturally cost-conscious – choice can be influenced by value and convenience, so farmers need to consider their local population and if they are willing to buy from the farm gate, or in local shops. The research asked UK consumers what would most make them buy more UK produce – unsurprisingly cheaper prices came top of the consumer’s poll but only 39% of farmers questioned identified price as an influence on consumer pricing decisions.</p>
<p>Key highlights of the research:</p>
<p>• 40% of British adults shop for value over origin</p>
<p>• 31% make decisions based on convenience</p>
<p>• 46% of 18-24 years olds make purchasing decisions based on price</p>
<p>• Only 24% check the label to see where the food originates</p>
<p>• 79% of those questioned said that “better taste or flavour” would make them buy more British produce</p>
<p>• Animal welfare considerations (69%) and confidence in food safety ( 67%) are drivers in purchasing British food</p>
<p>• 60% said that clearly labelled packaging would help them purchase more UK produce</p>
<p>The marketing mix is clearly evident – product, place, promotion, price to which you can add channels of distribution and packaging. The opportunity is there for premium pricing, justified by a superior local/UK product with local appeal. You only have to see the success in and around Cornwall and Devon of places like the Lifton Farm shop, St Kew Harvest bakery with Jeremy and Antonine.</p>
<p>In the news we can see the impact of pricing milk in supermarkets- farmers are being driven out of business. The British public need to get behind the UK dairy industry and back the outlets that pay a far price for milk. It would be "udderly ridiculous" to loose ourNFY dairy industry.</p>
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Sat, 29 Aug 2015 16:25:30 +0000Sue147 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukThe Impact of Generation Yhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/impact-generation-y
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>A recent article by Gwynne Rogers, senior business director at the Natural Marketing Institute on the Guardian Sustainable Leadership Hub, has identified the impact of those born between 1977- 1998 also know as Generation Y.</p>
<p>This demographic has been considered to be "born green" because they grew up in a society where eco-consciousness was becoming a norm, and often to baby boomer parents who founded the environmental movement. Until now, boomers have dominated the sustainable marketplace, both in terms of attitudes and spending as many had the disposable income necessary to buy pricier green products.</p>
<p>However the Generation Y demographic is now impacting on the consumer marketplace. Marketers are looking at this group as a potential goldmine as they shop for products as they will shape the consumption of eco- friendly products and provide social currency. Rogers quotes that the percentage of Generation Y who report that they "buy as many green/eco-friendly products as they can" is up to 36% in 2012 from 31% in 2009. This is a 16% growth rate during some tough economic times, according to our survey of 4,000 US adults. One category that is seeing this growth is the natural/organic personal care market (haircare and skincare etc) – 39% of Generation Y report purchasing such a product in 2012 versus just 27% in 2009.</p>
<p>Boomers, and the older generation before them, still care significantly more about issues ranging from workers' rights to women's issues to protecting the environment. Older generations still lead in behaviours such as conserving water or carrying a reusable coffee mug. However, the disparity isn't as big as it used to be, nor is it as universal. Generation Y is showing increased aptitude across numerous dimensions, particularly a willingness to pay for sustainable products and interest in premium sustainable products (for instance, Aveda, Patagonia, or retailers like Viva Terra and Bambeco). That interest is up nearly 20% over the past six years.</p>
<p>While Generation Y previously had only lukewarm engagement with the sustainability marketplace, as their income has risen and they start families (often a kick-starter for exploring natural and sustainable products), their green product purchases are increasing. For instance, more than a third now say they buy as many eco-friendly products as they can, up from just a quarter five years ago. As their life stage continues to shift to the phase of heaviest consumption, this trend could speed up significantly, and have major implications for manufacturers. Generation Y consumers have decades of purchase decisions ahead of them. Understanding what makes this consumer group tick is an investment that will pay off for businesses for years to come.</p>
<p>At a recent Exeter Business Leaders Forum (June 2015), Deborah Meaden stressed the importance of managing this generation in your workforce.<br type="_moz" /><br />
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Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:19:13 +0000Sue146 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukThe power of WAW!!!http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/power-waw
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The Power of WAW! I am passionate about looking after the customer. Great Customer service starts from the moment you approach the business.</p>
<p>Key to this is a warm welcome, or as I put it, a warm, authentic welcome (WAW)! Just saying this makes me smile! Whilst this can be defined as a hospitable greeting for me this is much more than a welcoming smile and greeting. The tone of voice, the energy, the interest- these are qualities that really stand out and are interpreted as authentic by the customer. Read any customer review and many start with the welcome and the service received.</p>
<p>It is certainly something I look out for and my experience at the Royal Cornwall Show this year was no exception. This leaves me pondering for those who failed to make the grade…surely this reflects in generating future business? Today, many prospective customers are in hurry and are juggling several aspects of busy lives. However at a place like the Royal Cornwall Show this is a great opportunity to shine and start to make new relationships. Offering a warm welcome is the first step to break the ice, especially for those less confident customers. With the approach it is good to include an offer of help and a powerful phrase of welcome…..such as “how are you, can I help you?” Many organisations include this welcome as part of their training.</p>
<p>I will never forget, and it is a few years ago now, when working at Ford Motor Company all the sales team working at the Motor Show, received have a day’s training in how to say “hello”. Those lessons have stayed with me. </p>
<p>Whatever your business, please don’t forget, a warm, authentic welcome is definitely the “power of waw”!</p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/royal-cornwall-show" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Royal Cornwall Show</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/ford-motor-company" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ford Motor Company</a></div>
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Mon, 22 Jun 2015 16:13:02 +0000Sue145 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukGrowth Vouchershttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/growth-vouchers
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I am really pleased to have just become an accredited adviser as part of the Government's Growth Voucher programme.</p>
<p>This has been developed to help provide some financial support for businesses to secure strategic advice in a number of key areas:</p>
<ul><li>
finance and cash flow</li>
<li>
recruiting and developing staff</li>
<li>
improving leadership and management skills</li>
<li>
marketing, attracting and keeping customers</li>
<li>
making the most of digital technology</li>
</ul><p>To find out if your business is eligible please check out <a href="http://www.gov.uk/apply-growth-vouchers">www.gov.uk/apply-growth-vouchers</a></p>
<p>Please check to see if your business is eligible. </p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/strategic-marketing-advice" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Strategic Marketing advice</a></div>
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Tue, 24 Feb 2015 21:09:55 +0000Sue144 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukPlymouth Drake Foundationhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/plymouth-drake-foundation-0
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I have been an ambassador for a number of years with the Drake Foundation and always provided support with their marketing and fundraising as part of my CSR (corporate social responsibility .</p>
<p>Since 2008, the Drake Foundation has given grants of over £500,000 to over 250 local, voluntary and community groups in the Pymouth travel to work area. These have funded sports cubs, mental health charities, adult learning projects, gardening groups, kids clubs a memory cafe for ex Royal Naval families ( a subject dear to my heart) and many more.</p>
<p>Two new grant funds are being launched this year:</p>
<ul><li>
The Drake Impact Fund proving funds to organisations with projects that will help overcome community challenges</li>
<li>
The Foundation Fund that will help fund projects that will benefit the community</li>
</ul><p>The organisation supports so many community groups so with the support of Adgective we develped an infographic.</p>
<p>A recent fundraising evening has raised over £2000 - a huge thank you to all those who provided prizes!! Soon there will be a Trek Fest and other fundraising opportuinities. As ever there are so many good causes so how do we differentiate ourselves and show what we do Take a look at the infographic. Hopefuly that will start to help. <br type="_moz" /><br />
<br type="_moz" /><br />
</p>
<p>For more information take a look at their website <a href="http://www.plymouthdrakefoundation.co.uk">www.plymouthdrakefoundation.co.uk</a>.</p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/drake-foundation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Drake Foundation</a></div>
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Thu, 19 Feb 2015 12:54:46 +0000Sue143 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukPlymouth Drake Foundationhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/plymouth-drake-foundation
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I am really pleased to help support a wonderful community charity in Plymouth. I have many clients and friends in the City so it is great to give something back.</p>
<p>Our purpose is developing wealthy, healthy and lively communities in Plymouth. We aim to achieve this by providing grants to Plymouth’s voluntary and community sector.</p>
<p>Grants on offer include:</p>
<p>• VCS Training Fund: £1-£100 for training for organisations with a turnover less than £100k</p>
<p>• Youth Hardship Fund: Funding for young people in need. Managed by the Plymouth Zone</p>
<p>• Grassroots Endowment Fund: Small grants for Plymouth based voluntary and community organisations. Delivered by Devon Community Foundation</p>
<p>Since 2008 the Plymouth Drake Foundation has awarded has given grants out of over £530,000 to over 250 Plymouth Community Groups.</p>
<p>Supporters and ambassadors of the Plymouth Drake Foundation gathered on Plymouth Hoe in September to recognise organisations and individuals that go that extra mile for their Plymouth Community.</p>
<p>Three awards were made:</p>
<p>• Plymouth University Award Student Volunteer, won by Simon Stringer of Plymouth for his super volunteering efforts that have seen him become Senior Project Leader and contributed over 846 hours of volunteering despite the increased pressure in his studies.</p>
<p>A delighted Simon said: “I was amazed to hear from the team that I had won and am very grateful. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent volunteering and fundraising while at Plymouth University and hope to continue throughout my future.”</p>
<p>• Plymouth City Council Award for an organisation or individual won by KIDZ R US; they bring parents together and help them achieve academically through training and other various skills and then transfer these skills back into the community, particularly to children aged 3 – 12 years.</p>
<p>Mary Whitehall of KIDZ R US “We would like to say a huge thank you to Chaz Singh for the nomination and recognition, this Kids club has been a huge success and we are extremely proud of our hard work that paid off in our team. Receiving the award on Wednesday 24th has driven our motivation levels to push harder and widen our commitment for the children and us, as volunteers. We are all still in complete shock for winning.”</p>
<p>• Our own award, the Plymouth Drake Foundation, nominated by members of the general public won by Ambers Angels Trust a group that support children that currently suffer and those who have survived child abuse.</p>
<p>Amber Haigh “Wow what a wonderful evening – I’d like to say a big massive thank you to all of my volunteers for your help and support, also to everyone else who has helped me on this magnificent journey. Thank you very much to the Plymouth Drake Foundation for this fantastic award - I am very honoured to even have been considered for such an award so to go on and win is a magical moment that I will cherish.”</p>
<p>Paul Read, the charities new Chief Executive gave a motivating speech at the close of the evening and launched the new Friends Challenge which is in partnership with Santander.</p>
<p>Help us complete this challenge by becoming a Friend for £10 a year and Santander will match your donation.</p>
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<div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="PDF icon" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/PDFFriendsChallenge.PDF" type="application/pdf; length=92633">PDFFriendsChallenge.PDF</a></span></div>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/plymouth-drake-foundation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Plymouth Drake Foundation</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/community-charity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Community Charity</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/plymouth" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Plymouth</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/santander" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Santander</a></div>
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<div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/sidebar-top-circle/public/cirlce-images/RoyalWilliamYard.jpg?itok=LWQFRiD_" width="400" height="400" alt="Royal William Yard , Plymouth" /></div>
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Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:57:45 +0000Sue142 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukSmart Workshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/smart-works
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>A Charity that I like to support whenever I can is Smart Works. I send quality work-appropriate clothing that can be used by women on low incomes who want to get a job. Smart Works help around 1200 women a year and provdes clothing, styling and interview advice. If you can help donate please contact Smart Works <a href="http://www.smartworks.org.uk">www.smartworks.org.uk</a></p>
<p>Smart Works are having a Big Fashion Sale with the Sunday Times Style at Somerset House at the end of November. </p>
<p>Smart Works are also working with Chime for Change and Special K to raise awareness for womens and girls projects around the world. The #ChimeIn project means that if enough people vote for the #Education pillar here: <a href="https://chimeforchange.specialk.co.uk/">https://chimeforchange.specialk.co.uk/</a> Smart Works will gain further funding.</p>
<p>It is such a worthy cause so please see if you can help others get a job. First impressions do count.</p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/smart-works" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Smart Works</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/sunday-times-style" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sunday Times Style</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/chime-change-special-k" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Chime for Change Special K</a></div>
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Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:38:42 +0000Sue141 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukCustomer Insighthttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/customer-insight
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Research from the CIM suggests that we all see over 1500 marketing messages a day, maybe more !! What an onslaught and potential sensory overload. Products and services have to fight to be seen.</p>
<p>We're busier than ever before- not just with emails but Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and Pinterest. Traditional TV is now a plethora of channels- terrestrial, cable, satellite....radio- which channel? Are Press adverts still read?</p>
<p>Media proliferation has been acompanied by audience fragmentation. To attract attention and be noticed, marketeers have to be selective, be creative and relevant and really know their customers. Messages have to matter.</p>
<p>Customer insight is critical. Companies, no matter how large or small, need to ensure that this is an essential part of the marketing strategy and plan. Those who take part and invest their time and energy deserve to be recognised for their contribution and marketeers need to make sure that valuable insight is used to inform compay processes and procedures.</p>
<p>CRM (Customer Relationship Management) will help identify the preferred channels of communication and by communicating relevant messages we can build trust and place our customers at heart of our marketing . </p>
<p> </p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/customer-insight" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">customer insight</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/crm" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">CRM</a></div>
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Sat, 25 Oct 2014 13:02:21 +0000Sue134 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukHertfordshire London Colleges - New brandinghttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/hertfordshire-london-colleges-new-branding
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Really pleased to have worked again with talented graphic designer, Chris Band at ADG's Adgective.</p>
<p>Following detailed market research and regular visits to the three coleges we opened in Unaizah and Al Zulfi, Chocolate Dog Markeing Services was able to create one brand with three subrands for each college. These were presented to the Kingdom's Colleges of Excellence team and the Hertvec LLC Board.</p>
<p> We are now developing a full set of collateral to be used in KSA for business to business events at Unaizah, Riyadh and Al Zulfi.</p>
<p>Really pleased to have received an excellent tesimonial frm Andy Forbes, President of the Hertvec LLC and Principal of Hertford Regional College:</p>
<p>" Sue is energetic, committed and highly focussed in her approach and has proved an excellent communicator and team player." </p>
<p><br type="_moz" /><br />
</p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/technical-and-vocational-education" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Technical and Vocational Education</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/branding" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Branding</a></div>
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Sat, 25 Oct 2014 12:22:26 +0000Sue133 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukTraining Camps legacy - South West Rugby World Cup bases http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/training-camps-legacy-south-west-rugby-world-cup-bases
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Six international rugby teams will be based in the South West for next year's Rugby World Cup, after nine venues in the region were selected as team bases from almost 100 bids. When I worked on the London 2012 bid I carried out research to identify potential pre games training camps. I was impressed with the wealth of facilities around the South West. Some of these were well-known, others a well-kept secret. It is good to see the range of bases selected.</p>
<p>Each base required indoor and outdoor training facilities, a swimming pool, gym and hotel and will be used by teams leading up to and during the event which will take place across England and in Cardiff from 18 September 2015. Cheltenham RFC will host the Argentinian and Tongan sides. Tonga will be based at the University of Exeter. Woodberry Park, near Exeter, and Devon's Bicton College will be used by the Georgian and Romanian teams.</p>
<p>Georgia will also use South Gloucestershire and Stroud College as a base. Great to see education establishments being involved. My hope is that they can make other cultural and educational links and possibly get other schools involved. Champions in 1991 and 1999, Australia, will be based at the University of Bath.</p>
<p>Plymouth will be a Team Base for Namibia, who will have access to facilities at the Brickfields, the Plymouth Life Centre and the University of St Mark and St John, including 3G pitches, sports halls, swimming pools, a training pitch, teaching room and gym. They will also have access to a 3G pitch near HMS Drake, owned by the Royal Navy Rugby Union.</p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/university-st-mark-and-st-johns" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">University of St Mark and St Johns</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/training-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Training camps</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/international-rugby" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">International Rugby</a></div>
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Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:38:15 +0000Sue132 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukJurassicahttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/jurassica
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>As a past Geography and Geology student at Southampton University, I was really excited to see the news about Jurassica. Geology is a passion of mine, and I have to say something I do not really do enough of, except to admire the geology of the South West on a South West Coastpath walk or out gig rowing.</p>
<p>Jurassica is a really inspirational project to build a spectacular subterranean geological park in a disused quarry on the Isle of Portland in Dorset to celebrate the unique geological heritage of the Jurassic coast. Jurassica will not be a theme park nor a museum but a place where the world of 140 million years ago comes to life. Visitors will learn and be amazed as they travel back in time down a double-helix spiral walkway, look out onto a Jurassic beach, and see dinosaurs swimming in an aquarium.</p>
<p>Jurassica’s patron is Sir David Attenborough, and its board of trustees includes Tim Smit, the founder of the <a href="http://www.edenproject.com/" target="_blank" title="Eden Project">Eden Project</a> in Cornwall. Preliminary designs have been provided by <a href="http://www.rpbw.com/" target="_blank" title="Renzo Piano Building Workshop">Renzo Piano</a>, the architect of the Shard in London and the Pompidou Centre in Paris. It has further backing from <a href="http://www.withersworldwide.com/" target="_blank" title="Withers">Withers</a>, <a href="http://www.arup.com/" target="_blank" title="Arup">Arup</a>, <a href="http://www.oliverwyman.com/" target="_blank" title="Oliver Wyman">Oliver Wyman</a>, the <a href="http://www.wessexentrepreneurs.com/" target="_blank" title="Wessex Entrepreneurs">Wessex Entrepreneurs</a>, and <a href="http://www.lazenbydesign.com/" target="_blank" title="David Lazenby and Azeurus Design">David Lazenby and Azeurus Design</a>.</p>
<p>I know from all my time spent on the Isle of Portland during the bid for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games that this place is really very special and has a longstanding cultural and sporting heritage. I have included a photo of me flying the giant kite on the Island to support the bid for the London 2012 Games as the Island is home to the internationally famous Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy that hosted the sailing for the London 2012 Games.</p>
<p>With Tim Smit’s track record at the Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project and the supporting team this is a once in lifetime opportunity to develop a project of global importance. Lets get behind this and go for it! </p>
<p> </p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/weymouth-and-portland-national-sailing-academy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/london-2012-games" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">London 2012 Games</a></div>
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Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:56:49 +0000Sue130 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukGeneration Y - Growing Sustainabilityhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/generation-y-growing-sustainability
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>A recent article by Gwynne Rogers, senior business director at the Natural Marketing Institute </em>on the Guardian Sustainable Leadership Hub, has identified the impact of those born between 1977- 1998 also know as Generation Y. This demographic has been considered to be "born green" because they grew up in a society where eco-consciousness was becoming a norm, and often to baby boomer parents who founded the environmental movement. This is important for marketing campaigns. </p>
<p>Until now, boomers have dominated the sustainable marketplace, both in terms of attitudes and spending. Many had the disposable income necessary to buy pricier green products. However, the Generation Y demographic is now impacting on the consumer marketplace. Marketers are looking at this group as a great potential revenue stream. As they shop for products as they will shape the consumption of eco- friendly products and provide social currency.</p>
<p>Rogers quotes that the percentage of Generation Y who report that they "buy as many green/eco-friendly products as they can" is up to 36% in 2012 from 31% in 2009. This is a 16% growth rate during some tough economic times,according to their urvey of 4,000 US adults. One category that is seeing this growth is the natural/organic personal care market (haircare and skincare etc) – 39% of Generation Y report purchasing such a product in 2012 versus just 27% in 2009.</p>
<p>Boomers, and the older generation before them, still care significantly more about issues ranging from workers' rights to women's issues to protecting the environment. Older generations still lead in behaviours such as conserving water or carrying a reusable coffee mug. However, the disparity isn't as big as it used to be, nor is it as universal.</p>
<p>Generation Y is showing increased aptitude across numerous dimensions, particularly a willingness to pay for sustainable products and interest in premium sustainable products (for instance, Aveda, Patagonia, or retailers like Viva Terra and Bambeco). That interest is up nearly 20% over the past six years.</p>
<p>While Generation Y previously had only lukewarm engagement with the sustainability marketplace, as their income has risen and they start families (often a kick-starter for exploring natural and sustainable products), their green product purchases are increasing. For instance, more than a third now say they buy as many eco-friendly products as they can, up from just a quarter five years ago. As their life stage continues to shift to the phase of heaviest consumption, this trend could speed up significantly, and have major implications for manufacturers.</p>
<p>Generation Y consumers have decades of purchase decisions ahead of them. Understanding what makes this consumer group tick is an investment that will pay off for businesses for years to come.</p>
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Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:51:36 +0000Sue129 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukStaggering stats for the UK’s Creative Industrieshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/staggering-stats-uk%E2%80%99s-creative-industries
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Creative Industries are punching well above their weight in the UK. The recent Creative Industries report by Create UK has calculated that the sector generated £71.4 BILLION gross value added in 2012. This is a 9.4% increase and surpasses any other sector.This means 1.86million jobs within the sector and a further 866,000 in creative occupations outside the sector, plus of course the supply chain in 2012.</p>
<p>In real terms £1 of advertising generates £6 for the economy, so a staggering £16billion spent in 2011 generated £10billion for the economy.</p>
<p>Some key facts:</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· 15,000 students are studying architecture</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· Craft industries are thriving – employing around 100,000 people</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· The Uk has the second largest design sector in the world – it accounted for £131 million of exports in 2011</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· In 2012 British films earned $5.3 billion – 15% of global box office</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· Fashion is estimated to contribute £46 billion to the economy</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· IT and software increased employment by 15% between 2011 – 2012 to over half a million jobs</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· The UK games sector is thriving</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· The UK is home to some of the world’s largest publishing companies with an estimated value of £10billion, with 40% of that generated from exports</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· The UK music industry generates around £3.5 billion globally</p>
<p style="margin-left:39.0pt;">· The arts sector created around £3.5 gross value added</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I personally love working with talented creatives who make a vision spring to live, who interpret a brief and communicate so effectively to the target audience.</p>
<p>Find out more at <a href="http://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/">www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk</a></p>
<p> </p>
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Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:36:11 +0000Sue128 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukWorld Pilot Gig Championships, 2014http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/world-pilot-gig-championships-2014
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I am a keen Cornish Pilot Gig rower and coach. I have just returned from the Isles of Scilly where I have been competing in the World Championships. I was pleased to be asked to write an article for Cornwall Today about the Scillies in the May issue and I hope this gives a flavour of what it is like to row and compete in these wonderful boats.</p>
<p>I row for HMS Raleigh where our mission is to encourage Royal Navy staff and their families to try this great sport. Our crews change each year so we wil not make the higher leagues but I was really delighted with our ladies crew, many have never raced so to be thrown in the World Champonship and be placed in Group K. We were really pleased to see our gig Jupiter on the front page of the Western Morning News on the 5th May. The WMN do so much to promote gig rowng throughout the season.</p>
<p>Port Isaac, who I coach performed really well. The ladies crew were placed 42nd out of 147 in the St Agnes race and then finished 58th. The men also did well, finishing 54th in the St Agnes race and finishing 72nd overall. This is a great result for a small club.</p>
<p>A big thanks to our sponsors,Sharps Brewery and First Great Western who continue to support gig racing with our two clubs. </p>
<p> </p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/sharps-brewery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sharps Brewery</a></div>
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Mon, 12 May 2014 15:38:54 +0000Sue127 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukWorking in Saudi Arabia - Further Education in actionhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/working-saudi-arabia-further-education-action
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Thousands more men and women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are set to benefit from vocational education and training delivered by some of the best providers in the UK. The Hertvec Consortium has been awarded a £225 million contract to establish three “Colleges of Excellence” in the Kingdom. Hertvec is collaboration between Hertford Regional College, North Hertfordshire College and the University of Hertfordshire and have been supported by UKTI.</p>
<p>The consortium is partnering with the Kingdom’s Samama Holdings Group, which employs over 10,000 employees specialising in construction and facilities management. Samama was founded over 25 years ago by Sheikh Nasser, a prominent member of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce. The agreement with the Kingdom was signed on the 8th of April.</p>
<p>Sheikh Nasser, Chairman of Samama said: “I am very pleased that my Group will be working closely with the consortium to deliver an employer - led vocational curriculum. This will be totally focused on the labour market requirements of the Kingdom. Establishing our three Hertfordshire Colleges of Excellence will be very rewarding.”</p>
<p>Located centrally in the Kingdom near Riyadh, the Hertvec Colleges of Excellence will open in September 2014. The Colleges will offer certificates and diplomas in specialised areas for Saudi high school graduates and will dramatically enhance technical and vocational education and training in Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>Three Colleges will be run by Hertvec in this phase of development. They include:</p>
<p>• Unaizah College of Excellence</p>
<p>• Unaizah Female College of Excellence</p>
<p>Al Zulfi College of Excellence</p>
<p>Based in new purpose-built facilities, the Colleges will focus on developing foundation skills with a high priority on the English language in year one. The curriculum will be developed for the country and will broaden to reflect market need. The UK collaboration is supported by world–leading digital resources, unrivalled sector knowledge and internationally recognised awarding bodies. Leading the team are Andy Forbes, Principal of Hertfordshire Regional College and Signe Sutherland, Principal of North Hertfordshire College.</p>
<p>Andy Forbes said: “I'm very excited to be involved in bringing the UK's world class model of Further Education to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This will open up new opportunities for international jobs and training, not only for the young people of Saudi Arabia, but for staff and students at the two Hertfordshire colleges involved. My vision is for the Hertfordshire Colleges of Excellence in Saudi Arabia to be beacons of good practice in vocational education and symbols of global cooperation across countries and cultures."</p>
<p>Signe Sutherland said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to deliver the vision for the vocational education agenda in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a member of the Gazelle group of colleges our particular strength lies in delivering a curriculum that fosters business and entrepreneurial skills. Our colleges in Qassim province will contribute to communities with a long history of education and learning for young men and women. We will focus on an enterprising curriculum which will utilise the latest digital learning technology, so that our learners can gain vocational skills and make a positive impact on the economy of the country.”</p>
<p>I have been asked to join the mobilsation team, led by Marilyn Hawkins. I visited Saudi Arabia last week and found it a fascinating experience. There is much to do - the vision of the Colleges of Excellence is exciting. Watch this space</p>
<p>Pictured are the Hertforshire Consortium Team, Allan Tyrer, North Herts College, Sue Handford, Interim Marketing, Harry Kirk, Samama Holdings Group, Dr Saleh Alamr, CEO Colleges of Excellence, Andy Forbes,Principal of Hertfordshire Regional College, Marilyn Hawkins, Interim CEO of the Consortium, David Pitcher, Herts Regional College </p>
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<div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/sidebar-top-circle/public/cirlce-images/HERTVECCOE.jpg?itok=93epjfFg" width="400" height="400" alt="Picture of the Consortium Team with the Chief Executive of the Colleges Of Excellence at the signing ceremony, April 8th 2014" /></div>
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Fri, 18 Apr 2014 20:00:46 +0000Sue126 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukCornwall Today - Gig Rowinghttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/cornwall-today-gig-rowing
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Some of you will be aware that I am a gig rower. A few months ago I was asked by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association to help promote " a come and try it day" on May 10th.</p>
<p>I was really pleased to help and asked Kirsty Newton, Editor of the award winning magazine, Cornwall Today if she would help raise the profile of this great sport . Delighted to say that my article is included in May's edition. I do hope you enjoy it.</p>
<p>If you are tempted to find out more take a look on the CPGA website - <a href="http://www.cpga.co.uk">www.cpga.co.uk</a></p>
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Fri, 18 Apr 2014 18:53:28 +0000Sue125 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukMarketing Metrics and Accountabilityhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/marketing-metrics-and-accountability
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Marketing directors are often accused of a lack of accountability. However it is really important at any level in the marketing team to instil a discipline of monitoring and evaluation.</p>
<p>This should include ROI but also customer insight, customer retention and shareholder value. A culture of efficiency, in a highly competitive market helps promote innovation and improved productivity. We use evidence to inform decision making but a good start is to ask why:</p>
<ul><li>
What is the problem, why?</li>
<li>
Who does it affect – why ?</li>
<li>
What circumstances and why?</li>
</ul><p>Once you have framed the issue you can explore further using four sources of information:</p>
<ul><li>
Practitioner expertise where you draw on expertise and knowledge for a logical exploration</li>
<li>
Local evidence using and analysing internal organisational evidence</li>
<li>
Existing research evidence</li>
<li>
Exploiting existing values and beliefs</li>
</ul><p>I always like to immerse myself in an organisation and speak to as many of the team as possible before carrying out desk research using the excellent library at the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Directors. However, before formulating any strategy and plan, customer insight is essential. These days customers expect a certain amount of personalisation – this means listening to your customer, working out what is of interest to them and developing creative and targeted engagement strategies. In a recession business buying cycles are longer so it is really important to make sure your marketing is relevant at every point of the buying cycle.</p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/institute-directors" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Institute of Directors</a></div>
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Mon, 27 Jan 2014 18:38:12 +0000Sue124 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukTen, Terrific, Tremendous Years http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/ten-terrific-tremendous-years
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>This month we have been celebrating Chocolate Dog Marketing’s tenth birthday.</p>
<p>We have had the privilege to work with great clients and fantastic partners and would like to thank everyone involved. Energy and excellence are our watchwords and our aim is to work with those clients over the long term, providing additional strategic and practical input .</p>
<p>I do not want to single out specific projects as many of these are shown on our website and there would be a very long list. We really enjoy working the variety and enthusiasm we find in businesses across the UK. It really is great helping release the energy!</p>
<p>Every year we try to support a charity. I am an ambassador of Plymouth’s Drake Foundation that over the last five years has raised over £500,000 for charities in the Plymouth Travel to work area. This October saw articles on breast screening published in Cornwall Today and the Cornish papers to raise awareness of breast screening. Previous years have seen us support Help for Heroes (although I hope I do not have to do a skydive again) and domestic violence.</p>
<p>What an amazing ten years!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Sun, 27 Oct 2013 17:21:45 +0000Sue122 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukOne Year Onhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/one-year
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>How quickly time flies. It is extraordinary to think that last year we were watching an amazing summer of sport. Golden moments are still with us with Andy Murray triumphing at Wimbledon and Chris Froome winning the “Tour de France”.</p>
<p>When I worked on the 2012 bid and throughout the run up to the Games, we were all motivated by the mission to “inspire a generation”. Sport England’s Active People survey revealed that in December 2012 over 750,000 more people were playing sport every week compared to 2011. Overall now 1.57 million more are now playing sport since 2005, when we won the right to host the 2012 Games. Two thirds of sports measured by the survey are showing increases with athletics, judo, hockey, netball and swimming growing in popularity.</p>
<p>Olympic Legacy Research by Kantar showed that 15% of British Adults have taken part in a new sport or are doing more sport as result of the Games. Nottinghamshire has implemented a £1m grassroots sports investment fund and in January 2013 over £250,000 of National Lottery funding was split between six groups.</p>
<p>British Rowing has seen a ten-fold increase in regular unique visitors to its website since the Games. Over 33,000 have entered their postcodes onto the site showing real insight into the “hotspots”. British Rowing has now run a programme called “Explore Rowing” in which 550 rowing clubs offer introductory sessions.</p>
<p>Sports wear firms have also shown an increase in business. Sports Direct revenues grew by over 22% to over £1bn and online sales grew by 54%.</p>
<p>Sainsbury’s has a real long- term commitment to legacy, sponsoring the Games but also continuing with their Active Kids scheme that was launched in 2005. Since those early days, Sainsbury’s has donated over £120m in sports equipment and experiences. In addition, Sainsbury’s is also investing £10m in a four-year sponsorship of the School Games.</p>
<p>Procter and Gamble has invested £25m in August 2012 into sustaining youth sport programmes around the world. In the UK, working with “Beyond Sport” they have sponsored the UK Impact Award that recognised the organisation that made the biggest difference across the nation using sport. They collaborate with 21<sup>st</sup> Century Legacy, founded by David Hemery on “Be the best you can be” that works with schools.</p>
<p>Prudential has become the headline sponsor for “ Ride London”, Ecover is sponsoring the “Blue Mile and NGB’s such as England Tennis has developed the “Taste Tennis Sensation” and England Golf “ Get into Golf” so there is the potential to grow the legacy. Tradepoint are sponsoring British Colleges Sport National Championships.</p>
<p>Let’s not forget the “Games Makers” - we need coaches and volunteers to continue the Games Maker style of customer service training! </p>
<p>This work is so important. According to the British Heart Foundation, the direct cost to the NHS of physical inactivity is £900m per year. However, it is vital that these opportunities are communicated to their potential customers through targeted campaigns and individuals feel able to "take part".</p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/london-2012-games" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">London 2012 Games</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/sainsburys" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sainsbury&#039;s</a></div>
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Sun, 27 Oct 2013 16:47:35 +0000Sue121 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukOctober is Breast Screening Awareness Month http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/october-breast-screening-awareness-month
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Earlier this year I offered to help the Cornwall’s Mermaid Centre raise the profile about Breast Screening. I secured two articles in Cornwall’s premier magazine, Cornwall Today, thanks to the support of editor Kirsty Newton and started a campaign across the Cornwall and Devon media with the help of Mike Jarvis of Cornwall and Devon Media. I also promoted the campaign to local radio and TV using Chocolate Dog Marketing’s skills and resources as we wanted to help raise the profile of health screening and improve the take up rate of appointments. With great photography by Jonathan Jacobs and detailed information from the Mermaid Centre team, we have some compelling copy. Time will tell how we influence take up rates.</p>
<p><strong>A compelling case</strong></p>
<p>Few can have missed the headlines earlier this year when film actress Angelina Jolie, a beautiful woman with a much feted silhouette, took extreme preventative action to avoid breast cancer. That she spoke openly about her double mastectomy, and the family medical history that led her to volunteer for it, shone the spotlight on a disease which will affect one in eight women – with one in 100 of all new breast cancers affecting men, a statistic less talked about but no less real.</p>
<p>Here in Cornwall, we have a world-class breast clinic. Opened in 1998, the Mermaid Centre in Truro - part of the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust – combines excellent facilities with highly qualified and caring staff who see more than 12,000 patients every year, with around 500 being newly diagnosed and then treated for breast cancer.</p>
<p><strong>October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.</strong></p>
<p>Mermaid staff are encouraging everyone to be screened when invited. The screening programme is designed to be an early detection measure – it can’t prevent the disease, but it can pick it up in time. Last year it identified 180 women with breast cancer – and I was one of them.</p>
<p>In 2012/13, the Mermaid Centre invited 24,750 to be screened; 19,522 accepted; an uptake of 76 per cent. This is good, but it could be much better. Screening is for those aged between 50 and 70, and the Mermaid Centre is currently participating in a national age extension trial which could broaden the range from 47 to 73 years.</p>
<p><strong>High-Tech Trucks (Photo)</strong></p>
<p>You might visit one of two high-tech trucks, costing over £1 million each, that move around the county (those living around Bude are invited to North Devon, those in Torpoint and Saltash to Derriford for ease of access). These trucks enable a team of friendly and caring radiographers to screen more than 75,000 women every three years. In October, they will visit Hayle and Helston. Mammogram results are sent back to the Mermaid Centre for review, and if anything requires more detailed screening, you are called back.</p>
<p>The Mermaid Centre opened in 1998 and the team and facilities continue to grow and now number 62 permanent specialist staff including breast care nurses, surgeons, radiologists, radiographers, office and clinic staff and volunteers who help in a myriad of ways.</p>
<p>Every patient meets a breast care nurse who is there to provide help and support, and act as the patient advocate during what can be a very confusing time. With six breast care nurses (three are part-time) and a reconstruction nurse, they can help the patient interpret what will happen and when.</p>
<p>Josephine Brand is the lead clinical nurse specialist. For Josephine, the message is clear:</p>
<p><strong><em>“Please don’t ignore any symptoms - get checked. For those of you invited to screening, please come. I could sit and cry about those who go into denial and do nothing - the fall-out for the women, their families and friends is horrific. Please come and talk to us – we are here to help you.”</em></strong></p>
<p>Dr Kerstin Stepp is the director of the screening programme and a specialist breast clinician:</p>
<p><strong><em>“I believe breast screening is vital work and helps to save lives,” she says, firmly. “Screening helps diagnose pre-cancerous conditions and early stage breast cancers, when treatment is less intrusive and less severe. We call back about 5 per cent of screened women for further tests, as a mammogram is not a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ test. We work closely within our multi-disciplinary team, and discuss the treatment with the surgeons and oncologists in the Sunrise Centre to ensure we design the optimum treatment for our patients and help them through their ongoing journey.”</em></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Certain areas have a better take up rate than others, so we need to do all we can to encourage our friends and relatives to take up their appointments when offered, and if in any doubt see their GP. Doing nothing is not an option.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul><li>
<em>In October the screening vans are at Hayle and Helston</em></li>
<li>
<em>The Mermaid Centre can be found at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro, TR1 3LJ, 01872 250000</em></li>
<li>
<em>Some areas in Cornwall have a lower take up rate of screening appointments. These include Redruth, Camborne and Penzance, please lets boost the uptake of appointments </em></li>
<li>
<em>If in any doubt, no matter what your age, please see your GP </em></li>
</ul><p> </p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/angelina-jolie" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Angelina Jolie</a></div>
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Sun, 29 Sep 2013 16:02:25 +0000Sue120 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukHow to use hashtags to benefit your businesshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/how-use-hashtags-benefit-your-business
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>If you use a hashtag in a tweet or in a description of a photo you are able to associate the content with a theme so that users can find content based on a subject and interest, rather than by an SEO basis.Make sure you promote your hashtag so people can join in the discussion, but dont go overboard – one or two is fine.Try and be relevant and keep it short- the longer it is the harder it is to read and may take up too much of your message!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It is a good idea to integrate your hashtag into your content so that it becomes part of the message, and if you can include your customers through the hashtags you can broaden your audiences.Be relevant and witty – but dont be indiscrete or rude- this can have unforseen consequences.</p>
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Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:46:53 +0000Sue117 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukPilot Gig Championshipshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/pilot-gig-championships
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>With the County gig ladies championships taking place this weekend big seas showed the true meaning of teamwork and trust. The 83 teams, consisting of 6 rowers and cox, in their gig battled it out in heavy seas on Saturday. Calmer conditions on Sunday for the next round showed the meaning of fitness, stamina and determination.Congratulations to Newquay A who won, well done to John Cuthill and his team for such great organisation.Pictured are Port Isaac ladies who finished a creditable 43rd who I have been coaching - most Sundays at 8.00am and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from Port Isaac. Well done all!</p>
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Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:41:23 +0000Sue116 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukTips on Marketing to Chinese Consumers by guest blogger Fenghua Mo http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/tips-marketing-chinese-consumers-guest-blogger-fenghua-mo
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>1. Market research - Do some market research to get started</strong></p>
<p>No matter how small your business is, it’s advisable to spend some time on doing reliable market research before venturing into business in China. Not only good research saves cost, but improves the efficiency from the start of a journey in China.</p>
<p><strong>2. Branding - Pick a Chinese brand name</strong></p>
<p>Names are imbued with deep significance for Chinese people. Picking a brand name that resonates with Chinese consumers could impact your online performance. Coca-Cola is a great example. The Chinese name is “Kekou-Kele” which not only sounds like the English but can also be translated as “Tasty and Joyful”. There are many other good examples. Colgate is called “Gao lu jie” which translates into “revealing superior cleanliness.” The brand name "Nestle" is translated as "Que chao" which means "sparrow nest" because the brand's logo is a sparrow in a nest.</p>
<p><strong>3. Chinese website - Adapt your English website into Chinese version</strong></p>
<p>Creating a Mandarin version of your website not only will encourage communication between you and your Chinese audience, but it will put you on the market that you welcome your Chinese audience.</p>
<p>How to create the Chinese website? Simply duplicate the English site into Chinese version? This is NOT true. We would highly recommend businesses to localised your Chinese site features based on the market research you have done, ie. load time, hosting location, product customisation, pricing, content, customer service etc. In addition, social media sharing, user reviews and live chat on the Chinese sites have increased year-on-year in China. Here is a wonderful example, Estee Lauder, one of the world’s most renowned beauty brands, has a tailored made Chinese website, on which you can see an unique category “璀璨美白” (CyberWhite Brilliant Cells) that can’t be found on the English site, because Estee Lauder know their China’s market very well – Chinese ladies love bright skin.</p>
<p>As Google has a small presence in China, therefore optimising your Chinese site on Chinese search engines like Baidu is very important as it enables more than half a billion Chinese internet users to find your products / services online. Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a long-term strategy from which you will get benefits permanently.</p>
<p><strong>4. Go social - Increase the brand awareness</strong></p>
<p>China is the world's most socially active online population. Unfortunately Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are banned in China. Marketing and advertising on Chinese popular social media platforms is a great way to increase your brand awareness. Sina Weibo is the most important Chinese social media channel, with more than 500 million registered users, which you can not risk to avoid. Online video is another fantastic marketing channel for you. YouTube-like Youku &amp; Tudou are the dominant online video channels in China, with 300 million covered audience weekly by 2012 (Source: iresearch). Chinese people prefer to watch re-broadcasts of TV shows online rather than to use digital recorders. These factors have made online video marketing and advertising a wonderful vehicle for brand awareness campaigns.</p>
<p><strong>5. Mobile marketing - A trend to the digital marketing</strong></p>
<p>Mobile devices have become the premier device to access the internet in China, 74.5% of 564 million by 2012 (Source: China Internet Network Information Centre). Search, social networking and shopping are popular activities on mobile devices. So, these reasons are enough to make a mobile-optimised version of your Chinese site, perhaps consider M-Commerce enabled if you are in E-Commerce industry.</p>
<p>Tencent-owned WeChat, the most popular mobile communication and private social networking app, has more than 400 million mobile internet users and you are now able to integrate with M-Commerce on WeChat, which allows your target audience to buy goods, pay bills, even complete transactions via the simple mobile app. All in one go, amazing! Therefore, WeChat is also called "do everything" app. WeChat has been expanding to overseas marketing and now has over 70 million users outside of China. Not using WeChat yet? Hurry up, put it on your online marketing strategy right now.</p>
<p>So, what are you waiting for? Your competitors have realised the huge opportunities in China and already been marketing to the Chinese market. Take an action now. If you don't have a Chinese expertise in your marketing team, no worries, just hire a Chinese online marketing agency to help your start the journey for China's market.</p>
<p><strong>About the author</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fenghua Mo (Sammi), Director &amp; Founder of Market Me China Ltd.</p>
<p>Fenghua specialises in China online marketing helping businesses to extended their audiences in to the growing Chinese market. Trained in Baidu search engine optimisation, pay-per-click advertising and Chinese social media marketing, Fenghua understands China’s internet world and the differences between Chinese and Western culture and always looking to explore opportunities and create effective online marketing strategies to help western companies traverse the digital world in China.</p>
<p>Web: <a href="http://www.marketmechina.com/">www.marketmechina.com</a></p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:sammi@marketmechina.com">sammi@marketmechina.com</a></p>
<p>Mob: +44 (0)7928 595520</p>
<p> </p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/market-me-china-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Market Me in China</a></div>
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Wed, 14 Aug 2013 13:42:47 +0000Sue115 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukMarketing in China by guest blogger Fenghua Mo of Market Me in Chinahttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/marketing-china-guest-blogger-fenghua-mo-market-me-china
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">"<span id="cke_bm_148S" style="display: none;"> </span><span style="display: none;"> </span>We want to be truly global. We can't be truly global unless we're in China, and this is the start of that journey." UK online clothing retailer ASOS chief executive Nick Robertson said. (source: TheGuardian) China is the world's second largest economy by nominal GDP and by purchasing power parity after the United States. It is the world's fastest-growing emerging market with more than 1.3 billion population, both Western and Chinese companies are seeking opportunities to conduct business there. However, the high level of governmental control and regulations in traditional media makes western brands question where and how to start the journey in China. Turning to digital is a key for western brands to unlock China's market.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Opportunities for western businesses in China</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Based on the reports from some authorities, there is a very strong opportunity within the following industries.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>1. Retail, especially luxury goods</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">According to UK Trade and Investment, China's domestic consumption will grow rapidly in the next five to ten years. Chinese consumers, especially the growing middle class, are becoming more and more brand and quality-conscious. In their eyes, western brands mean good quality and fashion. On the other hand, affluent Chinese consumers are increasing and have a very positive attitude towards luxury goods which are symbols of good taste, wealth, success and social status. However, western retail brands are either underinvested in digital marketing in China, or don't have a presence in China's market on the digital world yet.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>2. Travel</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">According to China Tourism Academy, travel is the biggest hobby of nearly 90% of wealthy people in China, which shows Chinese high-end tourism market is very optimistic and prospective for development in the future. 68% of wealthy people overseas travel costs per person over £5,000. The opportunities are the top destinations for Chinese wealthy people. Europe is the top destination. France ranked first in shopping destination, Hong Kong, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom are also the prefer shopping destinations. Favourite islands for wealthy Chinese people are the Maldives, followed by Hawaii.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>3. Education</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Education in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and other developed countries is viewed as a reputation for excellence. Therefore, there is a huge opportunity for universities, colleges and schools to attract Chinese students.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>4. Real Estate</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Chinese property buyers switch from Hong Kong to Thailand, the US and London, according to Financial Times. The Chinese buyers, spending $9 billion on investing in houses in the US during the 12 months ended 31 March 2012, are the second largest foreign investors in the US housing after Canadian. This is a great opportunity for the real estate industry that can offer good properties to invest.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>About the author</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Fenghua Mo (Sammi), Director &amp; Founder of Market Me China Ltd</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Fenghua specialises in China online marketing helping businesses to extended their audiences in to the growing Chinese market. Trained in Baidu search engine optimisation, pay-per-click advertising and Chinese social media marketing, Fenghua understands China’s internet world and the differences between Chinese and Western culture and always looking to explore opportunities and create effective online marketing strategies to help western companies traverse the digital world in China.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Web: <a href="http://www.marketmechina.com/">www.marketmechina.com</a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Email: <a href="mailto:sammi@marketmechina.com">sammi@marketmechina.com</a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Mob: +44 (0)7928 595520</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="display: none;"> </span><span id="cke_bm_148E" style="display: none;"> </span></span></span></p>
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Wed, 14 Aug 2013 13:01:45 +0000Sue114 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukEMCAS- Happy Tenth Birthdayhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/emcas-happy-tenth-birthday
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Great to see Chocolate Dog Marketing Services Client, EMCAS, hit the global headlines as they celebrate their tenth birthday . EMCAS, based in Devon has reclaimed over £400 million in compensation. From its origins in 2003 in Paignton, EMCAS has continued to grow delivering impressive results and is starring in local, national and international news - most recently the San Francisco Chronicle. EMCAS has helped 530,000 customers secure redress from those who have been mis- sold financial products. Working with the team in 2012, we helped develop their marketing strategy and start to build their marketing team. Happy birthday EMCAS and let's look forward to your next ten years securing financial justice. </p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/financial-claims" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Financial Claims</a></div>
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Sat, 10 Aug 2013 16:05:34 +0000Sue113 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukBe Disloyalty Cardshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/be-disloyalty-cards
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Coffee shops around the world have employed loyalty card schemes for many years, but now in Singapore, a collaborate scheme aims to benefit eight of the city’s best independent cafés with the Be Disloyal disloyalty card for a short period of time.<br />
The Be Disloyal disloyalty card — created by digital creative agency Antics, blogger Cortadito.sg and eight of Singapore’s independent coffee shops — was designed to encourage consumers to discover different coffee venues while bringing businesses together to grow as a vertical. The card is stamped each time they purchase a coffee from one of the other seven cafés and, once the card is full, they return to the original café to receive their free coffee.<br />
Competing with large chain brands can be difficult for small businesses, but teaming up with similar smaller companies can create stronger competition and some great partnerships. A creative, alternative approach!!</p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/disloyalty-cards" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Disloyalty cards</a></div>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/singapore" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singapore</a></div>
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Sat, 10 Aug 2013 14:43:00 +0000Sue112 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukBrand Skeletonshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/brand-skeletons
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Recently Beko and Bosch appliances have hit the headlines for some appliance concerns:, Tesco and other supermarkets for horsemeat. Other brands have taken advantage of cheap labour in China - such as Mattel, Nestle;, Procter and Gamble and Mars.<br />
Other companies that have hit the headlines in the CIM magazine 2012:<br />
- Coca- Cola for ties with Maswati III<br />
- Poor construction at Tesco store in Turkey<br />
- BP in particular the Deepwater Oil Spill<br />
- McDonalds for promoting a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match<br />
- Unilever for exceeding their discharge consent in Scotland<br />
- Exxon Mobil has been sued in Alaska for creating excessive emissions of CO2</p>
<p>Your customers are brand aware and highly sensitised to ethics and standards. make sure you live up to your brand values or suffer the consequences.</p>
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Sat, 10 Aug 2013 14:37:51 +0000Sue111 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukHMS Montrosehttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/hms-montrose
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Last week I was fortunate to be invited aboard HMS Montrose as a guest of Captain James Parkin and his ship's company. It was a great privilege to meet so many of his crew and hear first hand about their roles and responsibilities. The Royal Navy train their staff to exceptionally high standards so that they carry out their duties efficiently and effectively. Let us applaud their work and in business do our best to support their transition to civilian life when required. The military business covenant is a good reminder of how we can help those who have served their country.</p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/hs-montrose" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">HS Montrose</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/royal-navy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Royal Navy</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/military-covenant" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Military Covenant</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/business" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Business</a></div>
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Mon, 05 Aug 2013 10:07:42 +0000Sue110 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukRetailers and a multichannel approachhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/retailers-and-multichannel-approach
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Whether you call it e-commerce, multichannel or omnichannel all retailers are looking at their operations to try to form a seamless shopping experience. It is a challenge, involving all aspects of the business and the entire technical operation. Systems architecture must be kept flexible so that it can change and adapt over time. </p>
<p>Customers are used to shopping on the go, selecting their delivery and collection options, ordering and communicating at a time to suit their lifestyle.<br />
It isn’t just the operations team but the staff need training too - on ipads, kiosks, and mobile. </p>
<p>The most active age group shopping on line is 25- 34 year olds. M &amp;S have identified the most active mobile shopper as being over 45 years - so it’s a major sales channel. Debenhams have launched its mobile enabled site and have seen a huge growth in visits and new customers.</p>
<p>Net-à Porter is one of my favourites – especially their mobile app and they are using augmented reality. They have developed pop up window shops to encourage additional purchasing. ASOS has made good use of video showing its product waking down a catwalk.</p>
<p>Social media is still important – audiences are there but retailers are trying to balance their content to give the personal touch. However, it is extremely useful to get feedback about your brand.</p>
<p>Digital commerce is changing everything as retailers can appeal to different audiences over multiple channels that need to be integrated so that stock is kept up to date so that promises can be fulfilled.</p>
<p>Ultimately, though good people and good communication are critical to delivering what customers want.</p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/multichannel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">multichannel</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/shopping" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">shopping</a></div>
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Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:04:09 +0000Sue109 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukRevitalising Direct Mailhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/revitalising-direct-mail
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>With the all singing, all dancing digital era you might expect that the humble direct mail (DM) flyer to have declined. Email fatigue and concerns about junk email have shifted to the inbox but the two are complementary rather than competitive. </p>
<p>The brochure can have an immediate impact for high- end look and feel. So too can the discount voucher for value shopping! With both ends of the spectrum the basic principles remain:<br />
1- careful targeting is key<br />
2- relevant content and impactful design<br />
3- be cognisant about environmental concerns</p>
<p>Good customer data is critical. Not just postcodes! For example information from the DVLA can identify when customers bought their last vehicle, geodemographic data, and partnership campaigns.<br />
So, some top tips: </p>
<p>* be reactive not proactive - contact customers after they have interacted<br />
* perfect your targeting and send relevant communications - do not do mass mail shots<br />
* send value such as a coupon or a brochure<br />
* use personalisation to treat different people differently with separate messages, offers and formats<br />
* try QR codes with great call to action options to incentivise customers to try this format<br />
* people&#039;s behaviour is more predictive than demographics <br />
* utilise a multi channel campaign - allow them to respond on line and monitor<br />
* do not use DM in isolation <br />
* try and reach influencers who will then spread the word digitally via Facebook or twitter<br />
* track all responses and channels of response<br />
So make sure your DM is targeted for maximum impact!</p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/targeting" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">targeting</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/customer-date" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">customer date</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/incentives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">incentives</a></div>
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<div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/sidebar-top-circle/public/cirlce-images/mitchellhilladjpeg_0.jpg?itok=ILJyo62Y" width="400" height="400" alt="direct mail example" /></div>
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Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:56:30 +0000Sue108 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukRow Howhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/row-how
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I have just completed a British Rowing Level 2 Coaching Certificate (Fixed Seat) coaching course. It is incredibly well thought out with excellent tutors. The on-line resource “row-how” means I can access information at times to suit me and I have very professional course books as well.</p>
<p>I have to say practising our man overboard in Appledore in sub zero temperatures in February was a challenge, but we were all relieved when we rescued our long-suffering tutor, Pat Dollard who “fell” six times in the freezing cold water and waited for us to rescue him, with assessor, Sallie Malt watching our every move.</p>
<p>It has enabled me to brush up on my first aid, looks at my skill set and gain new knowledge, in time for the World Pilot Gig Championships in May. Our crews from HMS raleigh did really well and featured in the Western Morning News. Thanks to Sharps Brewery for their sponsorship and for the excelent crew kit and refreshing Doom bar- well desrved after some gruelling racing. </p>
<p>I have also been practising my new skills with Port Issac Rowing Club. We were all delighted with their podium places for both ladies and mens crews and another ladies crew came third. The vets did well and the supervet ladies came 5th! A great start to the season.</p>
<p>Olly Waterton-Gullick from the leisure team at Hustyns, has advised the Port Issac crew on exactly what is needed to help their fitness. Olly understands what the crew needs improve their posterior strength, build their fitness and avoid injury.</p>
<p>The crew gained some great insights into developing their power, some great exercises and routines.</p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/hustyns" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Hustyns</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/port-issac-gig-club" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Port Issac Gig Club</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/isles-scilly-world-pilot-gig-championships" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">isles of Scilly World Pilot Gig Championships</a></div>
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Fri, 17 May 2013 12:58:29 +0000Sue107 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukMarketing and Musichttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/marketing-and-music
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>John Lewis has earned praise by using emotive music in its adverts. In 2011, the company used an obscure b-side by the Smiths in their “The Long Wait” campaign – “Please, please let me get what I want”. In 2009 the Christmas ad featured a folk version of Guns n’ Roses track “Sweet Child of Mine” by the Swedish Group, Taken by the trees. In 2010 a YouTube hit followed with “She’s always a woman” <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYOsWWKHZVw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYOsWWKHZVw</a></p>
<p>Levi’s used Babylon Zoo’s atmospheric track Spaceman for a TV ad titled “Planet”. Guinness has used Louis Armstrong’s classic “We have all the time in the world”. Diet Coke used Aretha Franklins “I just want to make love to you” for the Diet Coke break ads.</p>
<p>Boots has cleverly used “Here come the girls” by Ernie K Doe as the soundtrack for its beauty ads.</p>
<p>Great creative ads and memorable music can be a record for success – both for the company and the artist!</p>
<p style="margin-left: 36pt;"> </p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/john-lewis" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">John Lewis</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/levis" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Levis</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/guinness" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Guinness</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/boots" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Boots</a></div>
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Fri, 17 May 2013 12:46:56 +0000Sue106 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukManaging Customers Profitablyhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/managing-customers-profitably
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="color: #ffffff">We are all aware of the value of our customers and the importance of using customer relationship management systems in our businesses. However now, more than ever before, we need to understand the profitability of customers so we can build on those that are profitable.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff">There are three ways companies can calculate customer profitability:</span></p>
<ul><li>
<span style="color: #ffffff">customer probability analysis (value of the customer in a prior year)</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">customer lifetime value ( net present value of future profit), a forecasting activity)</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">customer equity (net present value of a customer portfolio with a forecast of future revenues)</span></li>
</ul><p><span style="color: #ffffff">Do you know the “costs to serve” as these can be varied – have they a key account manager or are there additional sales and marketing costs to attribute?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff">The key rules include:</span></p>
<ul><li>
<span style="color: #ffffff">understand the profitability of customers</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">manage the customer portfolio for profit</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">acquire more profitable customers</span></li>
</ul><p><span style="color: #ffffff">A customer’s relationship with a company may extend across several departments or business units so identifying profitability can be complex.The most valuable are those who combine high lifetime revenues with low costs to serve. With this information businesses can identify what offers can be made without eroding revenue streams. If the sales team are rewarded on top-line sales and not on bottom-line profits then it is possible customer incentives are increased to the customer without securing incremental revenue.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff"><strong>Customer satisfaction</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff">Please remember just because a customer is satisfied it does not mean absolutely everything is well. Research showed that customers who are satisfied still may have issues and concerns. Businesses need to balance shareholder value and delivering customer satisfaction. At low levels of customer service improvements can be reflected in satisfaction and retention – this is not always true when customer service levels are high already.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff"><strong>Strategies</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff">Build strategies:</span></p>
<ul><li>
<span style="color: #ffffff">long–term contracts</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">shared information systems</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">for high–revenue but high cost demanding customers consider incentives to move to cheaper channels such as the internet – have we all been here with the banks?</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">commodity customers that are low revenue, low cost do not need costly incentives or new value propositions</span></li>
<li>
<span style="color: #ffffff">low lifetime revenues but high costs to serve such as in retail banking branch networks may need an alternative approach such as intermediaries</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">acquire profitable customers and profile – do they share any characteristics such as behaviour patterns, market segments etc and adapt your marketing</span></li>
<li value="5">
<span style="color: #ffffff">be careful with sales incentives – giving a discount can hurt in the long run and lead to unprofitable customers</span></li>
</ul><p><span style="color: #ffffff">The more you know about your customers the better and the more targeted the marketing and sales activity so that you can secure and retain your profitable customers. In addition, if you have time, look at the 2010 John Lewis ad that closes with “our lifelong commitment to you”</span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYOsWWKHZVw"><span style="color: #ffffff">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYOsWWKHZVw</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:27:47 +0000Sue105 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukGreat National Championships for British Colleges Sporthttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/great-national-championships-british-colleges-sport
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Despite the cold weather conditions over the weekend, it was a great turnout, with more than 2,000 students and staff from colleges across England, Scotland and Wales competing in fourteen different sports. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Chocolate Dog Marketing Services were delighted when the ITV sports crew turned up. See the footage at <a href="http://vimeo.com/62505639">http://vimeo.com/62505639</a></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Abbie Jackson a student competing for the </b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family: Arial"><place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">West Midlands</span></place><place w:st="on"></place><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> commented:</span></span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt"><p></p></span></b></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="display: none"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12px"> <em>“I never knew what the previous students were talking about when they were on about Bath, I just thought they were over exaggerating. But from experiencing it myself for the first time this weekend I can honestly say they were not lying when they said it was one if the best weekends in their life!”.</em></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 12px">Well done to theWest Midlands who won the Wilkinson Sword who won by one point from the South East. A huge congratulations to all at British Colleges Sport and their volunteers and sponsors Tradepoint .</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 12px">Date for your diary next years championships are on the 4th - 6th April.</span></p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/sport" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">sport</a></div>
<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/national-championships" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">National Championships</a></div>
<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/british-colleges-sport" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">British Colleges Sport</a></div>
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Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:19:10 +0000Sue104 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukWorking with British Colleges Sporthttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/working-british-colleges-sport
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Chocolate Dog Marketing Services are working with British Colleges Sport (BCS) who provide a fantastic range of competitive, sporting opportunities for students aged 16 - 19 years in further education. A membership based organisation over 270 Colleges across the UK participtae. Next weekend BCS are organising </span></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">largest annual national multi-sports championships of its kind in the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="3"><country-region w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">UK. The BCS</span></span></span></country-region></font><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> 35<sup>th</sup> National Championships are being held at the </span></span></span><font size="3"><place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">University</span></span></span></placetype><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> of </span></span></span><placename w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Bath</span></span></span></placename></place></font><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> from the 22<sup>nd</sup> March – 24<sup>th</sup> March 2013 and the Chocolate Dog team will be there to cheer them on..</span></span></span><font size="3"><p></p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><p> </p></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><p></p></span></span><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The British Colleges Sport (BCS) National Championships involves more than 2,500 students and staff from further education colleges across </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><country-region w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">England</span></span></country-region></span></span><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="3"><country-region w:st="on"></country-region><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">, </span></span></font></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="3"><country-region w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Scotland</span></span></span></country-region><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> and </span></span></span><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Wales</span></span></span></place></country-region></font></span><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> competing in 14 different sports.</span></span></font></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The venue at </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><city w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Bath</span></span></city></span></span><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="3"><city w:st="on"></city><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> gives the young athletes access to some of the finest facilities in </span></span></font></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="3"><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Britain</span></span></span></place></country-region><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> as they compete in a total of 39 events over 3 days.</span></span></span><p></p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><p> </p></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><p></p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">College athletes taking part are all aged 16 to 19 years and each have qualified to represent one of the championship’s 11 regional teams the East, East Midlands, London, North East, North West, Scotland, South East, South West, West Midlands, Wales and Yorkshire &amp; Humberside.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The opening ceremony will provide athletes with the chance to be involved in BCS’s own Harlem Shake, a 30 second dance video which has become a viral trend across the globe, with a number of colleges already having created videos on YouTube of students performing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The athletes will not only be competing in their chosen disciplines but also for the coveted Wilkinson Sword which will be given to the region with the most points accumulated over all the events, last year won by the South West who claimed the sword off the South East who had won the previous 4 consecutive years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">On Sunday, Steve Claridge will be in attendance to help give out the awards at the Sunday medal ceremony. Steve <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN">is an English football player and coach, who has played in all level of English Football and played over 1000 professional or semi-professional appearances. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 11px"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The National Championships has grown from 13 events in 7 sports when it was first held in 1979. This year’s there will be 39 events in 14 sports, with support from 15 BCS Student Council Members and 18 regional event volunteers.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">British Colleges Sport Chief Executive John Hole said<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“The 35<sup>th</sup> BCS National Championships I’m sure will be a great success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s is exciting to watch dedicated high achieving sport students competing with great sportsmanship.”</b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">GOOD LUCK ALL !!! </b></span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 12px"> </span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-family: Arial"><font color="#000000"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><p></p></font></b></font></span></p>
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Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:52:15 +0000Sue103 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukMobile Marketing: The Brighter Way To Engage Customers and Strangershttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/mobile-marketing-brighter-way-engage-customers-and-strangers
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> Last year sales of global internet devices (smartphones, tablets) exceeded PC sales. The sales of these devices are growing at a rapid rate – particularly in China. These devices are being used to consume content - they do everything a PC does and more! According to e – Marketer (Oct 2012), as the use of these devices increases, the share of consumer time spent with major media decreases.</p>
<p>Stephane Kolinsky is the owner of Springboard Outsourcing and is passionate about the opportunities of mobile marketing. As a specialist in this area, Stephane has contributed this article that will give all marketers food for thought.</p>
<p>The staggering statistics show that 37% of digital marketers integrate their email campaigns with mobile campaigns and that email openers on smart phones have increased by 80% in the last six months!</p>
<p><strong>What is mobile marketing?</strong></p>
<p>Like online marketing, it is a mix of things. However, compared to online marketing it is more cost effective, faster to set-up, quicker to implement and much lower maintenance to manage.</p>
<p>In the mobile marketing mix are apps, mobile websites, mobile coupons, text marketing, opt-in options, social media, video, bespoke design, maps and QR codes.</p>
<p>As Stephane says:</p>
<p><em>“Mobile coupons are up to 10 times more likely to be redeemed than printed or ‘cut-out’ coupons. In a recent independent survey of 1368 UK consumers, 71% stated that they would like to receive text message offers from businesses and brands that they have used before! </em><em>Very few businesses use mobile marketing even though their customers increasingly own smart phones or plan to upgrade to one in the future. </em><em>On top of the high levels of smart phones ownership, is something else that makes mobile marketing very different other options you can consider. People have a closer relationship with their smart phones than any other consumer tech product released in history, ever. </em><em>If consumers have already adopted the technology, isn’t it time that you started thinking about using it to reach them? The opportunity is here and growing. My advice? Grab it now, ahead of your competitors”.</em></p>
<p>Stephane has five top tips on how mobile marketing can be used to cement relationships with your existing customers and help you market more effectively to strangers.</p>
<p><strong>Stephane’s Top 5 Mobile Marketing Tips</strong></p>
<p>1. Amplify other marketing activities by adding a blockbusting call-to-action that rewards people by sending them regular offers direct to their phone, much better than a one-dimensional call-to-action!</p>
<p>2. Integrate social media with your coupons. Let people know they can share mobile offers with friends and family. Let them create a buzz so you don’t have to!</p>
<p>3. Start an exclusive text club that rewards regular customers with special experiences and a higher level of care</p>
<p>4. Let Groupon get people in the door, and use an automated mobile marketing to keep them coming back. Finally, a super easy way to turn that heavily subsidised footfall into profit!</p>
<p>5. Use every opportunity to feed people into your mobile marketing pipeline but once they are on your list, always respect the privileged access you have to them. Remember, these are people that want to hear from you! Do not overdo it and loose them. Be good to them, be brief and be sparing when you reach out through mobile.</p>
<p>Thanks Stephane, we now need to incorporate mobile marketing into our marketing mix! </p>
<p> A more detailed analysis of mobile marketing opportunities can be found at:</p>
<p> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/future-of-mobile-slides-2012-12?goback=.gde_3314_member_196947083" title="http://www.businessinsider.com/future-of-mobile-slides-2012-12?goback=.gde_3314_member_196947083#">http://www.businessinsider.com/future-of-mobile-slides-2012-12?goback=.gde_3314_member_196947083#</a> and <a href="http://www.factbrowser.com/tags/mobile/?and=marketing">http://www.factbrowser.com/tags/mobile/?and=marketing</a></p>
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<p> </p>
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Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:19:16 +0000Sue102 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukRegional Growth Fund- Fourth Round! http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/regional-growth-fund-fourth-round
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="color: #ffffff"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN">The fourth round of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>has started<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on 17 January 2013. Businesses across the South West can bid for a share of the £350m cash pot.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN"><p></p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN">A total of £189m of RGF support has been provided to the South West in the first three rounds of the fund, supporting 20 projects. Companies in the region secured £72m from the third round. It is estimated the cash will create or safeguard a total of 28,920 jobs over the next ten years.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN"><p></p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN">The winners from the third round included AgustaWestland, Dyson, GE Aviation Systems and Plessey Semiconductors. Funding was also provided to extend </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN"><placename w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff">Portdown</span></placename><span style="color: #ffffff"> </span><placename w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff">Science</span></placename><span style="color: #ffffff"> </span><placetype w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff">Park</span></placetype><span style="color: #ffffff"> in </span><city w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff">Salisbury</span></city><span style="color: #ffffff">, while </span><placename w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff">Plymouth</span></placename><span style="color: #ffffff"> </span><placetype w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff">University</span></placetype><span style="color: #ffffff"> also clinched funding to support around 70 small and medium-sized businesses The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership and </span><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff">Exeter</span></place></city><span style="color: #ffffff"> and East Devon Growth Point were also allocated investment in round three.</span><p></p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN">Projects from the first three rounds have pledged to create or safeguard more than 500,000 jobs nationally, along with an added injection of £13bn private sector investment into the economy, the government claimed.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN"><p></p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ffffff"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN">Round four applications of the RGF closes on 20 March at noon, with a minimum bid threshold of £1m.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" xml:lang="EN"><p></p></span></p>
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Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:04:27 +0000Sue101 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukLoving and Living your Brand! http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/loving-and-living-your-brand
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>An image is something you get whether you like it or not so better make sure it is a good one! Rightly or wrongly, first impressions count. The large corporates invest huge amounts of money and make sure that their corporate identity is consistent and protected. Just think of Ford Motor Company and the Ford Oval, Coca- Cola and BP. The brand value is incalculable.</p>
<p>No matter what your business size, the advent of digital technologies means that you can communicate to your customers and make sure that you stand out from your competitors and differentiate your offer. Multiple channels of communication influence us all so it is important that consistent messages are communicated effectively. Brand values have to be maintained wherever you are in the world.</p>
<p>The term “Lovemarks” has been developed to describe brands that are loved by their customers – Apple, Starbucks and Amazon are a few but smaller businesses can work to be a Lovemark. A note of caution here both Starbucks, Amazon and Google have taken a hit in the UK following the disclosure of how much Corportation tax they have paid HMRC!</p>
<p>Whatever your brand, quality is key to the success and you must live your brand and it is critical that employees buy into your brand values, after all they are your ambassadors.</p>
<p>CoolBrands, <a href="http://www.coolbrands.uk.com/">http://www.coolbrands.uk.com</a> has been canvassing the opinions of experts and consumers since 2001. Take a look and gain insight.</p>
<p>Amazingly, in a single year it is estimated that the average consumer has over 379,000 brand experiences. On a typical journey to work you may be exposed to 170 brands.</p>
<p>Millward Brown publish BRANDZ – a top 100 global brands, looking at brand value.</p>
<p>Some key points from the 2012 survey show:</p>
<ul><li>
Value – with the recession consumers appreciate value</li>
<li>
Renewal is important</li>
<li>
Relevance is as important as brand heritage</li>
<li>
Reputation is vital – consumers have no patience with any organisation that violates trust</li>
<li>
Reimagine your offer and look to the future</li>
<li>
Brand Value is important</li>
<li>
Ensure your brand has personality so it is differentiated</li>
<li>
Western brands no longer dominate</li>
</ul><p><a href="http://www.millwardbrown.com/brandz/Top_100_Global_Brands.aspx">http://www.millwardbrown.com/brandz/Top_100_Global_Brands.aspx</a></p>
<p>So make sure you live and live your brand values. It isnt just your logo but your whole company ethos. I have been really impressed with First Great Western and Virgin Cross Country in their efforts to help their travellers with the terrible floods in 2012. The Liskeard team of the NFU Mutual offer outstanding customer care ! It is so important to your long term business success.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:04:37 +0000Sue100 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukThe Downton Effect , Anglophenia and Wordnikhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/downton-effect-anglophenia-and-wordnik
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="font-family: Arial">So who tuned into watch Downton at Christmas?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="font-family: Arial">Who would have thought that the “Downton” effect would spread so far – not only into fashion but also across culture in both the UK and the US? Look at the impact !.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="font-family: Arial">One blog – wordnik.com, is dedicated to translating British words and phrases. It has over a billion example sentences, 7,389,430 unique words, 238,573 comments, 183,938 tags, 121,572 pronunciations, 107,263 favourites and 1,339,689 words in 36,682 lists created by 101,553 Wordniks. It covers words used in the series transmitted on the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on"><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px">US</span></span></country-region></place></span><span style="color: #ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="font-family: Arial"> public service broadcaster PBS.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="font-family: Arial">In the US, BBC America screens programmes such as Dr Who and British personalities. The British culture blog is Anglophenia.</span><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></span><font face="Times New Roman"><p></p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia">http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia</a>.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="font-family: Arial">It’s not just one-way “anglocreep”. We are adopting more Americanisms helped by the global conversations of Twitter and the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="3"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><p></p></b></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11px"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family: Arial"><p> </p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="font-size: 11px"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family: Arial"><p></p></span></b></span><span style="font-size: 10px"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family: Arial"><p></p></span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family: Arial"><p></p></span></b></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> </p>
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Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:59:36 +0000Sue99 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukWishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Yearhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/wishing-everyone-very-merry-christmas-and-happy-new-year
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>What a busy year ! All of us at Chocolate Dog Marketing Services wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, healthy and profitable 2013!</p>
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Tue, 25 Dec 2012 11:34:50 +0000Sue98 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukDressed for Successhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/dressed-success
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Dressed for Success is a charity that helps women look the part to find jobs. It gives women the tools to get back into the workplace – they may be struggling to get on the job ladder.64% of clients have been turned down by more than 50 jobs. They are given an outfit to wear to an interview as well as training and career advice. I have been pleased to help in a very small way by sending clothes and accessories.</p>
<p>Be great to have some regional equivalents.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dressforsuccess.org.uk/">http://www.dressforsuccess.org.uk/</a></p>
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Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:48:41 +0000Sue97 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukWomen in Sporthttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/women-sport
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 11px"><span style="display: none"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none"> </span></span></span></p></span><p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none">Traditionally women take part in less sport than men in spite of the health benefits. Sport England developed an active women programme, investing £10m of National Lottery Funding to support projects to increase participation. The projects had to focus on women who are caring for children under 16 years of age or live in disadvantaged communities.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none">The first evaluation report is now out and the projects are demonstrating many positive results. However, recruitment can be challenging for a number of reasons. Women can be very self - conscious about themselves and lack confidence. They also remember how difficult it may have been during their school days and can be concerned about their level of fitness. In terms of recruitment – or as I would say, marketing the opportunities - the evaluation report suggests:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none">face to face recruitment at events where women can meet the coach</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none"> taster sessions</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none">encouraging existing participants to bring a friend</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none"> wide promotion throughout the community</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none">form links with other organisations so you can deploy partnership marketing tactics</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none">provide easy to access information about what the sessions will entail</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span id="cke_bm_130S" style="display: none">“myth - busting” – including removing perceptions such as you may have to be in shape already to enjoy sport, that others are experts etcTTTT</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">Traditionally women take part in less sport than men in spite of the health benefits. Sport England developed an active women programme, investing £10m of National Lottery Funding to support projects to increase participation. The projects had to focus on women who are caring for children under 16 years of age or live in disadvantaged communities.</span></span></span></p></p>
<p><p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">The first evaluation report is now out and the projects are demonstrating many positive results. However, recruitment can be challenging for a number of reasons. Women can be very self - conscious about themselves and lack confidence. They also remember how difficult it may have been during their school days and can be concerned about their level of fitness. In terms of recruitment – or as I would say, marketing the opportunities - the evaluation report suggests:</span></span></span></p></p>
<ul><li>
<span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">face to face recruitment at events where women can meet the coach</span></span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"> taster sessions</span></span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">encouraging existing participants to bring a friend</span></span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"> wide promotion throughout the community</span></span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">form links with other organisations so you can deploy partnership marketing tactics</span></span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">provide easy to access information about what the sessions will entail</span></span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">“myth - busting” – including removing perceptions such as you may have to be in shape already to enjoy sport, that others are experts etc</span></span></span></li>
</ul><p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">Sport England has a host of research and stats to help organisations market sport - <a href="http://www.sportengland.org/research.aspx">http://www.sportengland.org/research.aspx</a></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">The impact of London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will help inspire many to get active so it is important that any programmes and courses are marketed and communicated effectively. The principles are the same when marketing to any audience. Understand your target market and adapt accordingly. Sport England has a handy web tool to help understand your sports market segmentation – <a href="http://segments.sportengland.org/">http://segments.sportengland.org/</a></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">Sport England has recently published insight summaries on their research so check this out at:</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial"> <a href="http://www.sportengland.org/research/insight_summaries.aspx?dm_i=AXH,1126C,3T9OCZ,35BIN,1">http://www.sportengland.org/research/insight_summaries.aspx?dm_i=AXH,1126C,3T9OCZ,35BIN,1</a></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: Arial">The PDF of the report is attached but you can also access this on the Sport England website.</span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
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<p> </p>
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Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:59:55 +0000Sue96 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukFocus on Engineering and Technical Skillshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/focus-engineering-and-technical-skills
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The November Edition of the Institute of Directors magazine highlights that of 650 MPs; only 12 have any form of engineering degree. This contrasts with over 140 who have law or history degrees.</p>
<p>The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games opening ceremonies celebrated British engineering talent from Brunel to Tim Berners – Lee. However, the UK does not help inspire young people to consider engineering as a career. Indeed every recession is beset with headlines about redundancies, often in the engineering sectors.</p>
<p>The USA has a Chief Technology Officer at the White House, a position created in 2009. The UK does have a Chief Scientific Adviser but we now need to add to this and consider our future “wealth- creating” opportunities.</p>
<p>As Sir Stuart Rose said recently:</p>
<p>“Inactivity is a dreadful disease. It leads to stagnation, loss of confidence and zero growth. We live in a capitalist society and we have to create wealth. And if we don’t create wealth, governments can’t tax us because there won’t be anything to tax”.</p>
<p> Wales has developed the Engineering Education Scheme to encourage Year 12 students. The UK has the Engineering Council that works with a number of organisations but who is inspiring our young people?</p>
<p>The government needs to focus on technology and engineering across the UK and that needs to include civil servants and our politicians as well as young people.</p>
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Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:02:34 +0000Sue90 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukKey Trends in Digitalhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/key-trends-digital
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>the latest digital stats are staggering. Facebook has just reached one billion users! Google + is targeting 400 million members by the end of 2012 – currently it has 250 million sign ups. Digital channels are growing exponentially.</p>
<p>Google internet statistics reveal that over 65% of users are concerned over their internet privacy so how do we protect our users and ourselves.</p>
<p>Google’s 123people.com is an online search engine dedicated to people search. 123people empowers anyone to find information about themselves and others – free and fast.</p>
<p> With more than 50 million unique visitors every month, 123people is one of the largest people search engines in the world. The search results come from both global as well as from country-specific, freely available data sources on the Internet that are not necessarily indexed by other search engines.</p>
<p> 123people is currently available across 12 countries in ten languages. It also provides people search capability through mobiles with an app for iPhones and Android smartphones in the USA, Canada, UK, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, France, Sweden and Poland.</p>
<p>A new Google interface, called WDYL – or "What Do You Love?" –brings together previews of various specialized Google searches in one place.Turn your browser to WDLY.com and Google will ask you the question of the hour: What do you love? Your response should go into the search box, and that little heart button on the right replaces your typical "search" button.</p>
<p>Google analytics connects our data and personalise the results of any data search. The Google Privacy policy was changed in 2012 to bring all their data into one location.</p>
<p>Its not just Google- BING has developed a social sidebar, linking in data from social networking to customise your experience.</p>
<p>KLOUT.com wants everyone to discover how they influence the world. With the rise of social media, the ability to affect others has been revolutionised. Klout measures your influence based on your ability to drive action on social networks. The Klout Score is a single number that represents the aggregation of multiple pieces of data about your social media activity and calculates your score How authoritative are we on – line?</p>
<p>This data allows us to be relevant and targeted in our marketing but we need to be careful. The EU Cookie Directive has legislated how we use cookies to track people’s web behaviour. Make sure you ask people opt in. Marketers must also be clear in any email communication that this has a commercial nature and that the originator of the message is not concealed. Make sure people opt in and ensure that you follow the rules of Data Protection. Do not collect data you will not use and safeguard it.</p>
<p>It is imperative that you make sure you build up trust and avoid those issues faced by high profile networks like “LINKEDIN” that have been hacked.</p>
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Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:14:42 +0000Sue89 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukDoom Bar and Sharps Brewery- Living the Brandhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/doom-bar-and-sharps-brewery-living-brand
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>CoolBrands have just voted Doom Bar, the great Cornish beer as the coolest ale brand in the UK! An Expert Council of influencers and members of the British public chose Doom Bar.</p>
<p> Approximately 1,250 were shortlisted and two separate groups of voters - the independent and voluntary Expert Council, comprising 39 opinion-formers and a nationally representative group of just under 3,000 British adults scored this shortlist. The opinions of the Expert Council (80%) and the British public (20%) were combined and the best performing brands awarded CoolBrands status.</p>
<p> Out of all of these brands, Doom Bar was top of the ales category, sitting alongside other category winners such as Dom Perignon (Champagne) and Absolut (Vodka). A stunning achievement.</p>
<p>Doom Bar Bitter is named after an infamous sandbank at the mouth of the Camel Estuary in North Cornwall. Where the river Camel meets the Atlantic Ocean on Cornwall’s rugged north coast, a sand bank, centuries old, known as the Doom Bar protects and calms this beautiful estuary. Sailors respect the Doom Bar knowing it to be unforgiving if met with haste or arrogance. – it is the location of many a shipwreck.</p>
<p>Doom Bar has achieved international cult status, is one of the fastest growing beer brands in the UK and the best selling cask beer in the South West of England, and is made by Sharps Brewery, based in Rock.</p>
<p>Sharp's Brewery is a modern brewer of cask-conditioned beer based at Rock in Cornwall. Founded in 1994 it has grown rapidly to become the largest brewer of cask beer in the South West. Doom Bar, already the number one selling cask brand in the South West and Wales and the fastest growing cask brand in Greater London</p>
<p> Brand Manager, James Nicholls has developed an exciting exhibition stand with a 10m x 10 m bar that combines with a rowing competition, based on traditional Cornish Pilot Gigs, using concept 2 rowers and an interactive video to race the “Doom Bar”.</p>
<p>The objective is for consumers to “Taste”, “Discover” and “Compete” and to remember their holidays in the West Country where they tasted Doom Bar for the first time.</p>
<p>Sharps are great supporters of outdoor sporting activities with their Doom Bar and have a fantastic range of great beer, brewed in probably the UK’s most environmentally friendly brewery.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sharpsbrewery.co.uk/">www.sharpsbrewery.co.uk</a></p>
<p> </p>
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Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:33:13 +0000Sue88 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukBusiness Riskhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/business-risk
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We are all aware of how important it is to safeguard your business. Your marketing strategy needs to spend time in assessing any areas of reputational risks – no matter how painful it may be to contemplate areas of failure. However without this assessment, your business no matter how large or small can be at risk. Look at what has happened recently to News International and Barclays Bank.</p>
<p>“Roads to Ruin, A study of Major Risk Events: Their Origins, Impacts and Implications” in 2011 by the Case Business School has highlighted seven key risk areas for organisations.</p>
<p>These include:</p>
<ul><li>
Board Skill and Non Exec Director control</li>
<li>
Board Risk blindness – a failure to recognise risks to the business model, reputation, and licence to operate</li>
<li>
Inadequate leadership on culture and ethos</li>
<li>
Poor or defective internal communication with the company and up to board level – again Barclays Bank has seen the impact of published emails on its reputation</li>
<li>
Risks resulting from organisational complexity and change – especially during acquisitions</li>
<li>
Risks from the impact of incentives and staff behaviour</li>
<li>
Risks resulting from inadequate risk management and the inability of internal audit teams to report and discuss potential dangers</li>
</ul><p>The Institute of Directors has published Business Risk, a practical guide- dont leave it too late!</p>
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Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:01:45 +0000Sue87 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukCornwall and Superfast Broadband - Business Boost Fundhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/cornwall-and-superfast-broadband-business-boost-fund
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The superfast broadband programme is building a brand new fibre optic broadband network for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.</p>
<p>Grants are available between £1,000- £50,000 and be up to 50% of the total cost of the investment being made – your business will need to fund the remainder.</p>
<p>The kind of activity that could be covered includes:</p>
<ul><li>
Introducing cloud computing, video-conferencing and/or Voice Over Internet Telephone (VoIP) systems</li>
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Developing a new approach to your internet marketing and/ or operations to enter new national and global markets</li>
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A new business model or a new product or service that is enabled by superfast broadband</li>
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Business collaboration and ‘virtual teams’ enabled by superfast broadband</li>
</ul><p>Check out the grants on <strong><a href="http://www.cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk/investment-funds/superfast-cornwall-fund.html">http://www.cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk/investment-funds/superfast-cornwall-fund.html</a> </strong>and see if your business is eligible to apply and help your marketing along.</p>
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Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:53:11 +0000Sue86 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukBranding and the London 2012 Olympicshttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/branding-and-london-2012-olympics
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The Institute of Directors has just reminded members that businesses are at risk of being fined for using the Olympic brand. The fines can be up to £20,000. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) have always been very robust in protecting their brand under tight restrictions imposed to protect official sponsors' investments in the Games</p>
<p>Be very careful if using specified signs or representations relating to the forthcoming Olympic Games in your marketing or for other business.</p>
<p>In the last few months, a Stoke florist had to take down her window display of five tissue rings and a torch due to unauthorised use of the Olympic logo. In East London a long – established kebab shop has been forced to change its name from “Olympic” to “Lympic” – it seems that no one is exempt, even when celebrating the Games in local communities.</p>
<p><strong>What are the protected Games' Marks? </strong></p>
<p>
All of the official names, phrases, trade marks, logos and designs related to the 2012 Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements (collectively referred to as the 'Games' Marks') are protected by law in a variety of ways.</p>
<p>The following are some of the current items that make up the Games' Marks:</p>
<ul><li>
The Olympic Symbol</li>
<li>
The Paralympic Symbol</li>
<li>
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Emblems</li>
<li>
The London 2012 mascots</li>
<li>
The word 'London 2012'</li>
<li>
The words 'Olympic', 'Olympiad', 'Olympian' (and their plurals and words very similar to them – e.g. 'Olympix'</li>
<li>
The words 'Paralympic', 'Paralympiad', 'Paralympian' and their plurals and words very similar to them – e.g. 'Paralympix'</li>
<li>
The Olympic Motto: 'Citius Altius Fortius' / 'Faster Higher Stronger'</li>
<li>
The Paralympic Motto: 'Spirit in Motion'</li>
<li>
The Team GB logo</li>
<li>
The ParalympicsGB logo</li>
<li>
The British Olympic Association logo</li>
<li>
The British Paralympic Association logo</li>
<li>
london2012.com (and various derivatives)</li>
<li>
The London 2012 sports pictograms</li>
</ul><p>If in doubt, take a look at <a href="http://www.london2012.com/about-us/our-brand/using-the-brand/">http://www.london2012.com/about-us/our-brand/using-the-brand/</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Ambush Marketing</strong></p>
<p>Where LOCOG are made aware of ambush marketing of the Games and/or other unauthorised uses of the Games' Marks, they will seek to end any infringement LOCOG will assess the infringement and consider the nature, scale and commercial and reputational impact of the infringement. </p>
<p>Strict guidelines are in place to protect the London 2012 brand to “maintain both the emotional and commercial value of the brand” and to “prevent its unauthorised exploitation”(3). These rules, alongside special laws such as the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/12/notes/division/11/1" target="_blank"><strong>Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 (OSPA)</strong></a>, which protects the Olympic and Paralympic symbols, mottos and various words, and the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/12/contents" target="_blank"><strong>London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 (the ‘2006 Act’)</strong></a> which prevents the creation of an unauthorised association between people, goods or services and London 2012, have been passed to ensure that both the event and the official sponsors’ rights are fully protected.</p>
<p>Twitter and LOCOG have agreed to work together to combat ambush marketing during this summer’s Olympic Games in London. Organisers are concerned that social media could be used by non-sponsors to take advantage of Olympic marketing opportunities, reports Marketing.The publication cited a “source close to the social platform”, who said Twitter is “working with LOCOG to ensure that the same rules that apply everywhere else will apply to Twitter”.</p>
<p>Twitter will block non-sponsors from purchasing promoted Twitter ads with Olympic hashtags, such as #London2012, the magazine understands.</p>
<p>The London 2012 tickets have an exhaustive list of prohibited items to take into the stadium – these include containers bigger than 100ml, Frisbees, flags of non-competing countries, camera tripods, large quantities of coins and mobile phones.</p>
<p>Picnics will also be restricted with all bags subject to an X-ray and any contraband goods confiscated.</p>
<p>Read more: <strong><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367507/London-2012-spectators-face-ban-mobile-phones-branded-T-shirts-picnics-strict-rules.html#ixzz1wMZ3PrCg">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367507/London-2012-spectators-face-ban-mobile-phones-branded-T-shirts-picnics-strict-rules.html#ixzz1wMZ3PrCg</a></strong></p>
<p>Organisers will be on the look out for ambush marketing - as seen at the football World Cup, when Bavaria Beer filled a section of seats with a bevy of Dutch girls wearing orange.</p>
<p>According to the documentation, 'objects bearing trademarks or other kinds of promotional signs or messages (such as hats, T-shirts, bags etc) which [they] believe are for promotional purposes.'</p>
<p>Perhaps in an attempt to not have a repeat of the vuvuzela sound which blighted the South African football tournament with horns, whistles and drums.</p>
<p>The Chartered Institute of Marketing has published a useful PDF.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.cim.co.uk/filestore/resources/factfiles/marketingtheolympics.pdf">http://www.cim.co.uk/filestore/resources/factfiles/marketingtheolympics.pdf</a></strong></p>
<p>LOCOG “<strong><em>acknowledge that there may be cases where the unauthorised use of our brand is the result of pure enthusiasm for the Games without consideration of commercial benefit or understanding of our legal rights. In such cases, we will factor this into our approach. Wherever possible, we try to resolve matters with a personal approach, speaking to the business in question directly, explaining why there is a problem and asking that it be rectified. We do, however, review each case individually and we will take concerted cases of ambush marketing very seriously. In such cases, it may be necessary for us to take more formal legal steps to resolve the issue. This may include seeking an injunction to bring the infringement of our rights to an end and/or claiming financial compensation to rectify the damage. Formal court proceedings will always be a last resort but, where necessary, LOCOG will take legal action to resolve the matter.” </em></strong></p>
<p>Be warned and do check by email at <a href="mailto:brandprotection@london2012.com"><strong>brandprotection@london2012.com</strong></a></p>
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Wed, 11 Jul 2012 11:27:43 +0000Sue85 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukGoing Global?http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/going-global
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>If you are seeking wider markets for your products take a look at the global economies. Doug McWilliams, writing for the Chartered Institute of Marketing has taken a look at the world’s top 30 economies in 2020.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Chinese economIy is forecast to be 80% of the size of the US economy (top of the table) by 2020 and be second in the table - currently it is 40% of the size. Japan is currently third. Other countries moving up the league table are eastern countries that are industrialising. These include India that will be number 5 , Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea. The commodity producing countries that include Russia which will be number 4, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran are catching up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Falling down the league table include those European counties of Germany, Italy, Spain, Italy, France and the UK and technology is reinforcing the shift away from Western countries.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Have a look at <a href="http://www.cebr.com/">http://www.cebr.com/</a> and full details are shown on</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.cebr.com/wp-content/uploads/Cebr-World-Economic-League-Table-press-release-26-December-2011.pdf">http://www.cebr.com/wp-content/uploads/Cebr-World-Economic-League-Table-press-release-26-December-2011.pdf</a></p>
<p> </p>
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Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:50:16 +0000Sue84 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukKeeping the lid on the Cookie Jarhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/keeping-lid-cookie-jar
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In May 2012 the EU Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive comes into force. This means a new era of digital marketing and a new threat to online business. It is designed to protect users’ privacy if they do not wish their browsing habits to be tracked.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Websites have to radically change the way they alert users to the fact that cookies are being used. Most websites have a note in the terms and conditions and their privacy policy to state that cookies are used . Cookies are tiny text files that are downloaded onto a computer when a website is visited and then send information back on each visit, allowing sites to tailor information on screen. Companies such as Google, Amazon, AOL and other networks rely on cookies to target consumers for online advertising, ensuring it is pertinent and relevant. Companies that track data for clients will also be affected.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The challenge is to secure consent – possibly websites could use pop ups and icons to alert users but these will alter the customer experience and affect firms competing with each other – some may comply whilst others do not take action.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Any business needs to make sure it knows what cookies are being used on their website and why. It is important to identify any negative issues and see how intrusive they are. Are they essential? If so businesses need to explain this to their customers. May 1<sup>st</sup> is fast approaching – so don’t leave your head in the sand. According to Computerworld UK 95% of businesses are not complying!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1208/contents/made">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1208/contents/made</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13541250">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13541250</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/it-business/3350059/95-percent-of-uk-organisations-do-not-comply-with-eu-cookie-law/">http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/it-business/3350059/95-percent-of-uk-organisations-do-not-comply-with-eu-cookie-law/</a></p>
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Wed, 30 May 2012 14:11:55 +0000Sue83 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukADG is awarded Green Business of the Year in the Herald Business Awards!!http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/adg-awarded-green-business-year-herald-business-awards
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Chocolate Dog Marketing Services client, the Architects Design Group, won the Green Business of the Year, sponsored by Viridor title against two major food producers at the Herald Business Awards. Architects Design Group Consultancy Ltd (ADG), dairy firm Langage Farm and chewing gum company Wrigley were all nominated after investing heavily in technologies that help reduce waste and also help the environment.</p>
<p>Architects Design Group Consultancy Ltd (ADG) was set up in 1985 and has grown to be one of the largest architectural practices in the South West.</p>
<p>In February last year ADG moved into Studio 5-11, an un-insulated 1970s concrete-framed building, empty for three years and transformed it into a <strong><em>"highly sustainable modern office complex". </em></strong></p>
<p>The firm increased natural light, improved natural ventilation, installed high levels of insulation and reduced heating and cooling requirements.</p>
<p>Last September ADG installed a 20kW photovoltaic system of 100 solar panels making it one of the largest rooftop solar panel systems in Plymouth. This will provide 70 per cent of ADG's electricity and includes an energy monitor allowing ADG to review total energy produced and CO <sub>2</sub> saved.</p>
<p>Many congratulations ADG!</p>
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<div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/herald-green-business-year" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Herald Green Business of the Year</a></div>
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Wed, 30 May 2012 14:08:43 +0000Sue82 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukKeep Talking http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/keep-talking
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>It’s not just one transaction that will make the long-term difference to your business but building lifetime customer value. It is business critical to <strong>know your customers and profile them</strong>. Customer insight is important but you should supplement this with systems like ACORN that will help segment your customers. This will help understand who is buying your products and services and help identify their potential value.</p>
<p>Develop a <strong>customer service plan</strong> and include all those people and functions who have contact with your customers. Make sure <strong>data </strong>is kept up to date and accurate and that a customer relationship management system records the contacts. Don’t forget to adhere to the data protection act, seek permission and keep data secure.</p>
<p>Not all customers make you money - identify who are the most profitable and why and focus on those. Look at their <strong>life cycle</strong> and what they want and when. Not all of your customers are the same so customer insight will help tailor your products.</p>
<p>This information is vital for your <strong>marketing </strong>- but make sure you use the preferred method of contact and that advertising spend is invested in the appropriate media channels. Use techniques such as customer surveys, newsletters, social media and emails to keep in touch. Make sure you allow a two - way conversation and respond accordingly. Monitor what is being said about your company and product in the media and in <strong>social media</strong> channels. If you need to, respond or take off line.</p>
<p>Think about <strong>rewarding loyalty</strong> – large schemes such as nectar points or large companies such as Boots are well established but you can have your own loyalty cards for frequent purchase and complimentary samples. Think about added perceived value.</p>
<p>If you do receive, any <strong>complaints</strong> respond quickly - make sure staff are trained and allow them to use their initiative. It’s important that the senior team are aware of any complaints and it should be a key performance indicator in any management team meeting.</p>
<p>Customer focus is so important to your business - make sure it is your top priority to know your customer and use this knowledge to forge strong lifetime relationships.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:21:18 +0000Sue81 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukHubbing to help http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/hubbing-help
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>If you are a retailer The Office of Fair Trading’s Distance Selling and Sales of Goods Act hubs will provide useful tools to help build good customer relationships and protect your business.</p>
<p>Both hubs explain the legislation:</p>
<ul><li>
explain the distance selling regulations and the sale of goods act</li>
<li>
provide materials and templates to give to customers</li>
<li>
provide case studies</li>
<li>
provide training materials</li>
</ul><p>Most online shoppers are aware of their right to cancel when shopping at a distance if they change their mind. They have seven working days to decide to cancel a purchase - however many believe they have longer.</p>
<p>The Distance Selling regulations means that:</p>
<ul><li>
the consumer has a right to have information in writing about the trader, the goods and services and their rights before they buy</li>
<li>
goods should be delivered within 30 days of the date of the order unless the customer agrees a different arrangement</li>
<li>
consumers have a right to cancel their order from the date they place the order to normally seven working days after the date they receive the goods and should receive a full refund within 30 days of cancellation</li>
<li>
If the goods or services are not received within 30 days, or the agreed date, consumers have a right to a full refund within 30 days after this date</li>
</ul><p>Take a look at the hub:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/treating-customers-fairly/dshome/">http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/treating-customers-fairly/dshome/</a></p>
<p>The Sale of Goods Act says that:</p>
<ul><li>
articles must be as described</li>
<li>
of satisfactory quality - including finishes, appearances, free from defects, safe to use, durable and in good working order</li>
<li>
fit for purpose</li>
</ul><p>Find out more at <a href="http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-protection/campaign11-12/saleofgoodsact/">http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-protection/campaign11-12/saleofgoodsact/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:14:10 +0000Sue78 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukPeter Wilson sets new world recordhttp://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/peter-wilson-sets-new-world-record
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p nodeindex="6">Last month 25 year old Peter Wilson from Dorset, set a new world record to claim double trap gold at the Shotgun World Cup in Arizona. Out of 200 targets he hit 198, two better than the previous mark. Since last August Peter, a farmer's son, has been ranked No 1 in the world and after a productive 2011 and a great start to Olympic year, has emerged as the man to beat in London. He is coached by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, an Olympic gold medallist in the event in 2004 and a member of the Dubai ruling family. In contrast, Wilson has had to work in a pub to supplement his income. Britain won gold in this event in Sydney 2000 through Richard Faulds, who will be competing alongside Wilson at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich.</p>
<p nodeindex="6">I met Peter at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in 2010 when Chocolate Dog Marketing Services were retained to provide all the marketing and PR for this amazing competition. I want to wish Peter and all in Team GB all the very best for London 2012 - they are superb ambassadors and highly disciplined sportsmen and women.</p>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tags/peter-wilson-mens-double-trap" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Peter Wilson - Men&#039;s Double Trap</a></div>
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Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:12:09 +0000Sue75 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukFashion Manufacturing in the UK- What's happening!http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/fashion-manufacturing-uk-whats-happening
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Last week saw the start of the new Mary Portas programme, Mary's Bottom Line. Mary wants to revitalise British fashion manufacturing and sets up a factory at the Headen &amp; Quarmby textiles factory in Middleton – half an hour from central Manchester. Headen and Quarmby, established in 1935, ceased trading eight years ago. Thirty years ago Middleton was an industrial hub with 11 clothing factories, now the area has high levels of unemployment and deprivation.</p>
<p>Mary has recruited eight apprentices- five women and three men aged between 20 - 35 and is utilisng the old seamstresses and the last stretch lacemaker in Nottingham, John Stacey to manufacture her knickers that will compete with imports, many made in sweat shops across the world.</p>
<h2>
David Nieper</h2>
<p> </p>
<p>However, British manufacturing is not all gloom and doom. One such well kept secret is the company David Nieper, based in Alfreton Derbyshire. In 2011 David Nieper celebrated 50 years of manufacturing and is a thriving, successful, family owned and run fashion house, designing and manufacturing clothing across Europe, selling direct to women. Indeed one of the best selling lines is lingerie- and that is to the French! David Nieper has consistently stayed ahead of the game.</p>
<p>In 2010, the company established "The David Nieper Fashion Academy" - <a href="http://www.fashionacedemy.org">www.fashionacademy.org</a> . The Academy's mission is to help fill the skills gaps in the fashion industry by offering skills training to those dreaming of a career in fashion, those seeking a career change or returning to work. The Academy advises companies in the fashion sector who need advice and support to fill their own skills gaps. In addition close links to higher education and schools means that the fashion sector has a wealth of talent available. </p>
<p>Chocolate Dog Marketing Services developed the brand and communications materials and project managed the website. In addition we helped develop the creative campaign for two competitions run by David Nieper; Fashion for Free, a schools competion for 23 schools across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and the David Nieper Student Fashion competition, where the top prize is an internship at David Nieper.</p>
<p>We also worked to develop the fashion portal, The DNA of Fashion, <a href="http://www.fashiondna.org">www.fashiondna.org</a> and the DNA brand and communications campaign. This is a resource for the whole of the fashion industry, schools, colleges, universities, businesses and individuals alike. So fashion now has an interactive resource- so use it! .</p>
<h2>
Make it in Great Britain</h2>
<p> </p>
<p>Other action is coming from the UK Fashion and Textile Association. This works for the benefit of fashion, clothing and knitting businesses across the UK, but doesn't have the profile of Mary Portas! UKFT guides and advises its members on all the essential aspects of running a business and supplying clothing and knitwear to the global marketplace. Through its export division it gives help and advice on how to achieve sales in overseas markets.</p>
<p>The Government has launched a <strong>‘Make it in Great Britain’ </strong>campaign. There are several ways to get involved:</p>
<ul><li>
Be a part of the Make it in Great Britain Exhibition – If you want to be part of an engaging experience that demonstrates how successful and innovative British manufacturing can be, and you have a cutting edge product or, processes made or designed in Great Britain, then you could be part of the Exhibition at the Science Museum. To register an interest, email <a href="mailto:sledgemakeitgreat@sledge.co.uk">sledgemakeitgreat@sledge.co.uk</a> and title your email “Exhibition” or go to the holding pages to register for further information.</li>
<li>
Twitter – Follow @MakeitinGB on Twitter for the latest news about the campaign.</li>
<li>
Share your case studies – To bring the campaign to life, the Make it in Great Britain team is looking for case studies that they can use in media activity, highlighting both the campaign and your organisation or business. If you think you may have a case study that could be used, please email <a href="mailto:makeitingreatbritain@kindredagency.com">makeitingreatbritain@kindredagency.com</a>.</li>
<li>
Visit the Exhibition at the Science Museum in London between <strong>24 July and 9 September 2012. </strong></li>
</ul><p> <a href="http://www.ukft.org/news/newsdetails.php?mid=1&amp;mdid=1&amp;scid=0#270">http://www.ukft.org/news/newsdetails.php?mid=1&amp;mdid=1&amp;scid=0#270</a></p>
<h2>
Save Our Skills</h2>
<p> </p>
<p>Drapers Record launched " Save our Skills" campaign last year and continues to publicise the skills issues facing the British Fashion Industry. We have really talented designers and high quality goods. Nothing stands still in fashion but the principles of knowing your customer and understand their behaviour are critical.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:48:41 +0000sd-admin59 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk The Law of Attraction! http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/law-attraction
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>No this isn't a blog about how to attract the right partner, secure a lottery win or create a new life.</p>
<p>Any business needs to reflect on how to attract and retain customers, building relationships over the long -term. With the increase in media channels, the rise of social media and ever increasing costs the savvy marketeer will be looking at ways to reduce spend and increase your return on investment! After all no single channel will be right for everyone. We all have many conversations, have a preferred way of receiving and reataining information, and even a preferred method of responding!</p>
<p>How best to do this starts with insight - what do your customers think and what appeals to them is a start. But if you dont know, make a start no matter how small and build on the insight you obtain. Are you talking to your customers or their gatekeepers? Are they propsects or returning customers? What are their media habits?</p>
<p>So map your customer's journey.Identify how ( and if) they want to be communicated with and where possible profile them. Test the effect of new channels of communication with a pilot. Allow people to opt out or to change channel. Test and respond accordingly.</p>
<p>Although many have converted to just email, direct mail ( DM) is still an effective method of communication. It can be personalised, tactile and highly targeted and has greater appeal with certain groups. If you want to include a sample, a voucher or provide detailed information then consider DM. Integrating direct mail into a wider marketing campaign can build your brand and can lead to a better ROI ( return on investment). Email is quick and cost effective- but do people have time to open, read and respond? If the email doesn't display correctly people are not going to search. However fashion and travel are two sectors that do well. Make sure your emails are relevant, interesting and avoid repition - no one wants to know about your sale again and again.</p>
<p>Your customer data is critical in any campaign. Segmented by lifesyle, product or category, correct and relevant data will ensure that your campaigns drive repeat business and increased brand loyalty, recognition and ultimatley increased sales.</p>
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Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:49:36 +0000sd-admin8 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.ukAmbush Marketing - watch out! http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk/ourblog/ambush-marketing-watch-out
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<div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>With the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games nearly here means that many companies may be looking for an effective way to capitalise on international visitors and global TV ! But you need to be careful. LOCOG ( the London 2012 Organisation) responsible for delivering the Games will act fast to ensure that any form of ambush marketing will be penalised. That includes an unauthorised association using logos, trademarks and well known imagery.</p>
<p>LOCOG argue that many of their sponosrs have invested millions of pounds to secure sponsorship rights. Tier one sponosrs have invested around £50 million pounds per year in the run up to the Games. The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act of Parliament, passed in 2006 has been passed to ensure that any ambush marketing at the London 2012 Games is against the law as it trades off against an event's goodwill or success.</p>
<p>London 2012 want to generate £70million profit from merchandising.In 2008, Beijing secured £99million with their 2000 official product lines, sold through 10,000 licensed stores helped by the five Fuwa good-luck mascots, created by artist Han Meilin. Athens in 2004 generated £37.5 million, Sydney in 2000 generated £31.7million down on Atlanta in 1996 which earnt £55.6million. Barcelona in 1992 earned £10.5 million according to the Independent. </p>
<p>So be careful - take a look at <a href="http://www.london2012.com" target="_blank">www.london2012.com</a> .</p>
<p>The Chartered Institute of Marketing have published their own paper- Ambush Marketing and the Law.</p>
<p>Enjoy the Games, but be aware there could be a sting in the tail.</p>
<p> </p>
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Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:44:36 +0000sd-admin6 at http://www.chocolatedog.co.uk